Annual Report 2016-2017

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Annual Report 2016 - '17ICAR-NRCB

2. INTRODUCTION

Banana, revered as one of the threereligious fruits of the Nation, has risen fromthe stalks of backyard crop to commercial cropwitnessing a great leap in area, production andproductivity. Although, it is is grown in morethan 120 countries, India has the largest sharein global production (27%) with productivityas high as 34.0T as against world productivityof 24.0 T. Inspite of its exponential growth asan industry, banana suffers from wide array ofbiotic and abiotic stresses. India (ICAR)realized the importance of this crop as early in1980’s and decided to establish an exclusivesingle crop institute for banana. Thus, ICAR– National Research Centre for Banana wasestablished on 21st August, 1993 atTiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu by the ICAR, NewDelhi with an aim to increase the productionand productivity of bananas and plantainthrough mission mode basic and strategicresearch approaches. The actual location of theCentre is in Podavur, 14 Kms away from theTiruchirapalli city. The Centre has researchfarm of 36.5 ha and laboratory complex in3.23 ha. ICAR-NRCB also has an area of 0.80ha under residential complex in the main city.This Centre is located at 11.50o N latitude and74.50oE longitude, 90 m above MSL andreceives 800 mm rain annually. The climate iswarm and humid and the average minimumand maximum temperature are 25 and 35oCrespectively.

The major thrust areas of research includeviz, Improvement, Production, Post harvestManagement and Protection. ICAR-NRCBhas well-equipped research laboratories fortissue culture, biotechnology, soil science,nutrient management, physiology,biochemistry, entomology, nematology, fungal,bacterial, viral pathology and post harvesttechnology.

The ICAR-NRCB has been a globallyrecognized field gene bank with more than 400

accessions with excellent complementaryconservation programmes. In-vitro, seed, DNAand embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) banksare catering to the needs of the researchersacross the country. Attempts to develop agenebank for ornamental bananas and breedingfor novel hybrids is noteworthy. Bananaimprovement through breeding has witnessedgood dividends where Centre has developedhybrids with high carotenoids (20%), lessstarchy and disease resistant synthetic diploids.

The ICAR-NRCB has been identified asNational repository for banana germplasm. Ithas a field gene bank consisting of 566 bananagermplasm of indigenous collections fromNorth-Eastern region, Western Ghats,Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also exoticbanana accessions from International TransitCentre (ITC), Belgium through ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. The Centre hascompleted nine in-house research projects andtwenty three are in progress. Seventeenexternally funded projects funded by ICAR,DBT, DAE etc are in progress. The PerspectivePlan and ‘Vision 2050’ document on theresearch priorities and also reports by QRT andRAC reports were published. The Centre hasconducted Institute Research Council meetand Research Advisory Council meet to reviewthe on-going research projects and also monitorthe progress made on the RAC and QRTrecommendations. The Research AdvisoryCommittee, under the Chairmanship of Dr.S.N.Pandey, Retd. ADG (Hort.Sci.), ICAR,New Delhi reviewed the research activities ofthe Centre and recommended future researchactivities for the progress of banana in India.

Vision

To be the world leader in production andproductivity of bananas and plantains therebymeet the growing demand in India.

Mandate

Basic, strategic and applied research ongenetic resource management, crop

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Annual Report 2016 - '17 ICAR-NRCB

improvement and productiontechnologies for sustainable and enhancedproduction and utilization of banana.

National banana gene bank management,coordination and validation of researchfor enhancing and sustaining theproductivity of banana.

Transfer of technology and capacitybuilding of stakeholders for enhanced andsustained production of banana.

Referral laboratory for monitoring thequality of micro-propagated bananaplants.

Budget details (Revised Estimate) for the year 2016 - 17 (Rs. in lakhs)

A sum of Rs. 65.12 lakh was generated by the centre during the financial year 2016 - 17.

S.No Head of Account Plan Non-Plan

1 Establishment charges 0.00 473.12

2 Overtime Allowance 0.00 0.12

3 Travelling Allowance 3.62 6.97

4 Contingencies 91.47 201.96

5 HRD 2.18 0.00

6 Equipments 181.51 3.35

7 Works 90.00 0.00

8 Library & Journals 0.88 0.00

9 Pension and Retirement Benefits 0.00 1.80

Total 369.66 687.32

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3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Improvement

In the current year, the field gene bank ofNRCB, Tiruchirappalli was added with 30germplasm accessions mostly from secondarysources and another 70 exotic accessions fromITC, Belgium through ICAR-NBPGR, NewDelhi. Morphotaxonomic characterization wascompleted for 15 germplasm accessions usingMusa descriptor. DArT analysis has beencompleted for a set of 92 accessions.Performance evaluation of NRCB selectionsnamely 10, 11 and 12 have given promisingresults and are being evaluated under variousagro-climatic conditions.

Evaluation of hybrid progenies indicatedthat progeny nos. 429 (cv. Rose x Pisang Lilin)and 148 (Pisang Jajee x Lairawk) are superiorsynthetic hybrids which could be used in futurebanana improvement programmes. Recentevaluation of progenies have led to theidentification of five diploid hybrid progeniesof the cross Musa ornata x Musa acuminata ssp.burmannica (Progeny No.425 and 426) andthree events of cv. Rose x Pisang Lilin (427,428, 429) with resistance to Fusarium wilt.Fingerprinting of the Nendran based hybridshas been done using SSR markers. Studies onfactors responsible for poor seed set in cv.Grand Naine indicated that though it wasfemale fertile, presence of a barrier betweenthe stigma and stylar region preventedfertilization and seed set. Breedingprogrammes on the development ofornamental hybrids and Sigatoka leaf spotresistant Grand Naine have been initiated.

Macropropagation using five and sevenmonths old, steam sterilized corms planted inbed method produced more number of plantsas against pot method in both cvs. Rasthali andNey Poovan. Transgenic net house with abudget outlay of Rs. 252 lakhs is in progressat ICAR-NRCB research farm, Tiruchirapallifor the evaluation of transgenic plants of cvs.

Rasthali and Grand Naine enriched with ironand pro vit. A constructs provided by QUT,Australia. The lethal dose LD50 has beendetermined for cv. Grand Naine using ECS(EMS - 0.1% for 1 hour) and shoot tip explants(EMS - 1% for 4 hours). Modification in themedia composition based on the results ofproteomic studies have led to the successfulinduction of embryogenic calli and theirregeneration for the first time in recalcitrantvarieties like Red banana, Ney Poovan,Monthan and Karpuravalli. Cold treatment ofsomatic embryos at 40C for 24 hrs andmodified M4 liquid medium improved theregeneration and germination respectivelyirrespective of varieties.

About 1250 batches of tissue cultureplants at various stages of production (GrandNaine, Williams, Robusta, Ney Poovan, Redbanana, Quintal Nendran etc.) have been testedfor their genetic fidelity using SSR and ISSRmarkers and reports issued (Revenue generated- Rs.21.56 lakhs). Mother cultures of cvs.Udhayam have been supplied to M/s. Hi-FiBiotech, Salem. Highly regenerative ECS ofcvs. Rasthali and Grand Naine were suppliedto Indian partners (TNAU and ICAR-IIHR).

Production

In a nutrient dynamic studies, at harvestingstage in both cvs. Ney Poovan and Rasthali(ratoon-1), a gradual increase in dry matterproduction (DMP) was observed withincreasing levels of RD-NPK from control to150%. The total DMP in the plant wasdistributed in the order of bunch > stem >corm > leaf > peduncle > petiole > root >male bud. At harvesting stage, out of totaluptake of nutrients by Ney Poovan (r-1), 24to 52% of the nutrients were removed throughthe bunch harvest and remaining were recycledthrough reincorporation of residues in the soil.But in case of Rasthali (r-1), 16 to 56% of thenutrients were removed through bunch harvestand the rest were recycled in the soil. Withrespect to K-dynamics in banana, it was found

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that though significant “potassium mining”occurs in banana cultivated soil, recycling ofbanana residues for ratooning significantlyimproved the Potential Buffering Capacity forPotassium (PBC-K) of soil by 159.5%. Thus, insitu recycling of banana residues for ratooningwill ensure a sustainable potassium supplyingpower of soil for banana, through significantreplenishment of K at “non-specific sites” ofclay lattice, in long run.

Significant differences were observed inthe plant growth parameters, leafcharacteristics, interval between planting ofsuckers to f lower emergence of cv. NeyPoovan. The bunch weight and other yieldattributes varied significantly among differenttreatment combinations and the highest bunchweight was recorded with control. Mother plant+ one sucker recorded the highest bunch weightin a population study. However, the bunchweight was found similar in all the three levelsof fertilizers. Data on leaf nutrientconcentrations showed significant differencesamong the different treatment combinations.

Ney Poovan, Grand Naine, Red Banana,Naatu Vazhai and Ottu Nattu Vazhai varietyare used for leaf purpose at Theni Dist., whileit is ‘Monthan’ followed by ‘Poovan’ inCuddalore Dist.; Poovan and Karpuravalli inCoimbatore and adjoining Tirupur Dists. ofTamil Nadu. ‘Poovan’ leaves packed with foamsheet extended the shelf-life for 14 days at13.50C cold storage, followed by wet gunnybags (13 days) compared to room temperature(9 days). Post-harvest handling techniquesalong with modified atmosphere packaging(MAP) and kept at cold storage (13.50C)extended the shelf life in cv. ‘Ney Poovan’ and‘Udhayam’ bananas.

Banana nutri-bars refined with fourdifferent flavours and colors consisting ofbanana pulp, corn flour, groundnut, cashewnut, cardamom and clove powders have beendeveloped. Pure banana jam refined with applehad better acceptability. Banana fig was refined

by adding different proportions of honey,lemon juice and ginger juice to obtain goodflavor, taste and storability. Banana flour andrefined wheat flour at 60:40 resulted in goodtexture after blanching. Banana flour basedpasta products were developed in combinationwith wheat flour and whey protein. ‘Údhayam’recorded maximum recovery of corm juice,followed by ‘Nendran’ and ‘Saba’.

Pre-treatment with KMS + citric acid(0.25% each) as blanching for three minutesresulted in better overall acceptability of flour(8.6) from rejected bananas of cv. Grand Nainefrom the export line. Modified page andlogarithmic models proved to be the bettermodels for thin layer drying of banana slices.Dehydration of banana at 550C provided betterphysico-chemical and rheologicalcharacteristics. From the ERH study, optimumRH for storing the banana flour is 55-60%.Addition of banana flour increased theantioxidant capacity, mineral content of thepasta prepared with modified starch with lowglycemic index. The pasta with 70% wheatflour, 25% banana flour and 5% modified starchresulted in better pasta with good extrusioncapability. The bread prepared with 12.5%replacement with banana flour and 7.5% withmodified starch gave a good product comparedto other combinations.

Application of soil moisture stress at 5th

month after planting in cv. Grand Nainedelayed the flowering by 12-23 daysirrespective of soil alleviation chemicals.Grand Naine foliar primed with AcetylSalicylic Acid + Glycine Betaine prior to thedrought imposition recorded significantlyhigher bunch yield with more number of hands.Banana plants imposed with soil moisturedeficit (-0.8 to -0.9 MPa) and salt stress (100mM NaCl) under shaded condition (50% oflight) recorded significant decrease inphotosynthesis compared to stressed plantsunder natural light. Based on the growthparameters, Poovan, Ney Poovan, Grand Naineand Saba were identified as shade tolerant

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cultivars, while Karpuravalli as a shadesensitive cultivar.

In biochemistry, treatment of full (100%)mature pre-harvest Poovan bunches byfumigation with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at a concentration of 1 l/L for 12 hrenhanced the in planta green life of for 10 daysagainst 2 days, after which the full maturebunches showed maturity browning. Theripening behavior of pre-harvest Poovanbananas treated with 1-MCP during post-harvest self-ripening and induced-ripening wereat par with the untreated control bananas.Study on the mechanism of enhanced green-life of bananas by 1-MCP indicated loweractivity of ACC synthase and accumulationof S-adenocyl methionine in 1-MCP treatedbananas compared to control indicating the 1-MCP blocked the activity ACC synthase andits substrate. Estimation of glycemic index ofbanana pulp was standardized in seven ripeningstages of ripening using Poovan as standard.Parameters for maximum recovery of totalflavonoids from banana fruit peel tissue wasstandardized using Poovan banana and themaximum amount of flavonoids was obtainedfrom Poovan peel when extracted for 3 hr byusing 95% ethanol solution at 80 °C with theratio of raw materials to ethanol solution of1:10.

Hundred plants each of cvs. Rasthali andGrand Naine transgenic plants with OsNAS1iron gene are in the hardening process and thepresence of gene OsNAS1 and absence ofAgrobacterium contamination were confirmedby multiplex PCR with primers of gene andVirA in half of the transgenic plants. Usingiron gene construct pBMGF-DC-68 carryingOsNAS2 gene, around fifty transgenic plantsof Rasthali and Grand Naine were produced.

Protection

Around 342 volatile components frombanana stem were isolated. Three antennalproteins were isolated and identified from stem

weevil. Selected semiochemicals from bananaleaf sheath gave weevil attraction to an extentof 70-85%. Out of six botanicals screenedagainst stem weevil, zimmu extract was foundmore effective. Complete documentation ofthe natural enemy complex of banana skipper,Erionota torus was done. Molecularcharacterization was done for major bananapests. Severe infestation of rugose spirallingwhitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus wasdocumented on banana from Pollachi andnearby places in Tamil Nadu. Parasitoids andseveral indigenous predators of this whiteflywere documented.

Incidence of Tropical race 4 of Fusariumwilt disease (Foc TR4) was reported frombanana cv. Grand Naine and Robusta grownin Katihar district of Bihar, India. Rapiddetection and diagnosis technique of eumusaeleafspot from crude DNA was developed usingLAMP primers. Effective principal compoundsagainst Foc TR4 were isolated from zimmu leafextract and Trichoderma asperellum. Inhibitionof Foc TR4 was observed with silver nanoparticles of zimmu under in vitro and potconditions.

Complete genome of cucumber mosaicvirus (CMV) infecting banana wascharacterized. The coat protein genes ofBBrMV and CMV was amplified and cloned.Field evaluation of embryogenic cellsuspension (ECS) derived banana bunchy topvirus (BBTV) free Hill banana plants showedsignificant difference in the growth and yieldparameters. Full length clones of BSMYV andbanana streak gold finger virus (BSGFV) weremade. Transmission of BBTV by banana aphid,Pentalonia nigronervosa showed thattransmission rates were significantly higher at25°C ± 1 than at 20°C ± 1 and 37 °C. TwoECS lines were developed for banana cv.Poovan and Hill banana for genome editingusing CRISPR-Cas9 approach and transgenicgeneration. Using MVR-RNAi and hairpin-rep(BBTV) constructs, 22 putative transgenic lineswere developed. CP, HC-Pro, VPg, NIa genes

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of BBrMV and CAM19, eIF4E(Iso), eIF4E-4, eIF4E-6, PSKI genes were amplified andcloned in pTZ57R/T vector and sequenced.VPg gene sequences of 25 BBrMV isolates fromdifferent regions of Southern India werecharacterized.

Samples collected from North EasternIndian states and Kerala showed incidence ofroot-lesion (Pratylenchus sp.), root-knot(Meloidogyne sp.) and spiral nematodes(Helicotylenchus sp.). Severe infestation of root-knot nematode was observed in soil and rootsamples collected from wilt sick fields ofbanana cv. Grand Naine in Theni District,Tamil Nadu. Interactions between root-lesionand root-knot nematode on banana cv. Nendranshowed that reproduction of root-knotnematode was decreased in the presence ofroot-lesion nematode.

Transfer of Technology

Nearly 4720 visitors comprising offarmers, entrepreneurs, horticultural /agricultural officers and school / collegestudents visited ICAR - NRCB and they werebriefed about improved production, protectionand post - harvest technologies and valueaddition of banana. Four radio talks (All IndiaRadio) and one television talk (DD – Telugu)were delivered by scientists of ICAR – NRCB.Seventeen press notes in various dailies andmagazines were published by ICAR - NRCB.The institute has participated/ organized 19exhibitions at regional/ National levels and atotal of 10 on-campus and 13 off-campustrainings were conducted to farmers andentrepreneurs. Totally 65 seminars /conferences / symposia / workshops /meetings were attended by the scientists ofICAR – NRCB at regional / National /International levels. A total of 10 MoU’s weresigned and technologies on post harvesthandling, packing and storage were transferredto eight entrepreneurs. A total of 5747 bananacv. Udhayam were distributed to bananagrowers of various districts of Tamil Nadu.

Linkages and Collaborations

ICAR–NRCB has research collaborationswith International institutes which includeBioversity International, France andQueensland University of Technology,Australia. The institute has linkages withNational institutes, namely, ICAR – NBPGR,New Delhi; BARC, Mumbai; ICAR – IIHR,Bengaluru; ICAR – CIAE, Bhopal, DST andDBT, New Delhi; PAU, Ludhiana; TNAU,Coimbatore and NIT, Tiruchirapalli. ICAR –NRCB also coordinates with AICRP (Fruits)centers working on banana. Tissue cultureindustries involved in banana masspropagation, farmers, exporters, StateHorticulture and Agriculture departments andself-help groups are linked with the centre forvarious research and developmental activities.The centre has research collaboration withICAR – CIAE (RS), Coimbatore, fordeveloping post-harvest mechanizationpackage for banana central core anddevelopment of mechanization package forrope making from outer sheath of bananapseudostem.

HRD and Education

Under Human Resource Development,four scientific, seven technical and fouradministrative staff of ICAR – NRCB hadparticipated in various training programs andupdated their working knowledge. The centrehas published 13 research papers in variousjournals of International and National reputeand 16 research papers were presented invarious conferences / symposia / seminars,etc. held across the country. Six studentspursuing B.Tech., M.Tech. & M.Sc. fromdifferent Universities were guided by thecentre’s scientists for their dissertation workon banana.

Revenue Generated

A sum of Rs. 65.12 lakh was generated bythe centre during the financial year 2016 - 17.

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4. RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS

4.1 CROP IMPROVEMENT

4.1.1 Improvement and management of

banana genetic resources in the Indian sub

continent

Collection

Explorations conducted in the westernparts of Meghalaya including West and EastGaro hills resulted in the collection of 13

Table 1. List of germplasm collected during 2016 - 17

S.No. Name of the Place of

accession collection

16. Musa flaviflora -do-

17. Kechulepa -do-

18. Reshing -do-

19. Jahaji Mutant -do-

20. Chaou -do-

21. Monishal -do-

22. Pacha Kadali BRS, Jalgaon

23. Ambio Mohar -do-

24. FHIA-23 -do-

25. Mutheli -do-

26. Hanuman -do-

27. Pacha Kadali -do-

28. Uthiran BR Hills,Karnataka

29. Durga -do-

30. Mathuranga -do-

S.No. Name of the Place of

accession collection

1. Paka BRS, Kannara

2. SH- 3436-9 -do-

3. Kadali -do-

4. FHIA –03 -do-

5. M.ac.ssp.zebrina -do-

6. BRS-01 -do-

7. BRS-02 -do-

8. Manjeri Nendran -do-

9. Chaou Tura, Meghalaya

10. Champaghante -do-

11. Borjahaji -do-

12. Modan -do-

13. Sobokgire -do-

14. Ibok therek -do-

15. Sodogol -do-

accessions. Eight and six accessions have beencollected from secondary sources namely BRS,Kannara and Jalgaon respectively. Threeaccessions were collected from farmers’ fieldat BR hills, Karnataka. The accessionscollected during the current year is listed in theTable 1.

Seventy ITC accessions were introducedthrough ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi and theyhave been established under in vitro conditions.After in vitro establishment, 44 accessions havebeen planted in the field for evaluation purpose(Table 2 & 3).

S.No. NBPGR No. ITC accession No. Accession Name No. field planted

1 EC409305 ITC0005 Guineo 4

2 EC653541 ITC0069 Type2x 2

3 EC653542 ITC0087 Kayinja 2

4 EC653545 ITC0095 Pelipita 4

5 EC653546 ITC0101 Fougamou 1 4

6 EC656727 ITC0123 Simili Radjah 8

Table 2. List of ITC accessions planted at ICAR - NRCB farm, Tiruchirapalli

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S.No. NBPGR No. ITC accession No. Accession Name No. field planted

7 EC653547 ITC0180 Grand Naine 2

8 EC653548 ITC0200 Kelong Mekintu 2

9 EC653550 ITC0217 Akpakpak 4

10 EC656729 ITC0247 Honduras 1

11 EC653556 ITC0279 BieYeng 4

12 EC409307 ITC0280 Rajapuri India 2

13 EC653557 ITC0294 Pitu 1

14 EC653558 ITC0304 Palang 2

15 EC653559 ITC0319 Biu Ketip 7

16 EC653560 ITC0322 Maiden Plantain 4

17 EC446007 ITC0393 Musa acuminata ssp.truncata 1

18 EC653562 ITC0395 Lidi 4

19 EC846883 ITC0415 Pisang Cici Alas 2

20 EC653565 ITC0433 Pisang Mulik 2

21 EC653567 ITC0446 Pu-te La-Bun 1

22 EC653568 ITC0448 Pisang Keling 1

23 EC653569 ITC0451 Cocos 1

24 EC653570 ITC0466 Banksii 3

25 EC653571 ITC0471 Bebek 2

26 EC653572 ITC0480 Pisang Buntal 1

27 EC653574 ITC0513 Plantain no .2 2

28 EC653575 ITC0519 Obubit Ntanga green mutant 1

29 EC846884 ITC0530 A3617/9 4

30 EC653576 ITC0533 KluaiLep Mu Nang 2

31 EC653578 ITC0547 Chinese Cavendish 1

32 EC656758 ITC0647 Lep Chang Kut 2

33 EC656741 ITC0659 Namwa Khom 3

34 EC653586 ITC0724 Cocos 1

35 EC846891 ITC0727 Pahang 1

36 EC656743 ITC0766 Paliama 3

37 EC409308 ITC0823 Ambiri 10

38 EC656746 ITC0825 Uzakan 1

39 EC656759 ITC1016 Musa balbisiana 1

40 EC846893 ITC1067 THA018 2

41 EC656747 ITC1120 Tani 2

42 EC423203 ITC1139 Musa acuminata ssp. zebrina 1

43 EC656750 ITC1177 Zebrina 6

44 EC656752 ITC1287 Pisang Beragan 2

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Table 3. ITC accessions maintained under in vitro conditions

S.No. Alternate ID Sp./Group Ssp/SubGroup Name of Cultivar

1 ITC0090 AA Taju Lagada Tjau Lagada

2 ITC0094 Balbisiana Balbisiana (10852)

3 ITC0121 Ihitisim

4 ITC0250 Acuminata malaccensis Musa acuminata ssp.malaccensis typemalaccensis

5 ITC0267 AA NBA 14

6 ITC0404 Acuminata Musa acuminata type Kluai Thong Det

7 ITC0472 ABB Pelipita

8 ITC0507 AA Pisang Madu

9 ITC0539 Textilis textilis Musa textilis

10 ITC0570 AAA Cavendish Williams (Bell South Johnstone)

11 ITC0588 Jackeyi jackeyi Musa jackeyi

12 ITC0591 AA Kasaska

13 ITC0643 ABB Bluggoe Cachaco

14 ITC0668 Acuminata Pa (Mysore) no .2

15 ITC1026 Boman Musa boman

16 ITC1520 Acuminata Musa acuminata (11\9-02)

17 ITC1588 Acuminata Lal Velchi

Characterization

Fifteen accessions collected earlier were characterized morphotaxonomically using Musa

descriptor and their subgroups have been identified (Table 4).Table 4. List of germplasm characterized during 2016 – 17

S.No. Name Genome NRCB accession number Identified sub group

1. Kanthali I ABB 2304 Pisang Awak2. Baish Chharra ABB 2305 Monthan3. Bagada ABB 2306 Pisang Awak4. Baisha ABB 2307 Pisang Awak5. Kanthali II ABB 2309 Pisang Rajah6. Champa II AAB 2310 Pome7. Panth Raj ABB 2312 Bluggoe -Kothia8. Champa III AAB 2314 Mysore9. Kanthali IV ABB 2318 Silk10. Deshi Malbhog AAB 2319 Silk11. Sabri AAB 2320 Silk12. Champa IV AAB 2323 Silk13. Martman AAB 2324 Silk14. Alpan AAB 2325 Mysore15. Pisang Awak ABB 2327 Pisang Awak

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Evaluation of NRCB selections

NRCB Selection 12 (AAB): Performanceevaluation of this ITC introduction revealedthat it had a short duration of 310-320 dayswith shorter maturation time of 50-55 days,yielding 14-15 kgs and fruit weight not less150g. Suitable for making snacks (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Performance evaluation of NRCB Selection12 (AAB) at ICAR - NRCB, Tiruchirapalli

NRCB Selection 10 (ABB): Performanceevaluation done at two places namely ICAR -NRCB, Tiruchirapalli and BRS, Kannaraindicated that plant height and crop durationwere significantly different from localKarpuravalli, a check variety. But at ICAR -NRCB, Tiruchirapalli fruit weight and bunchweight were also significantly different fromthe local check (Fig. 2.).

Suckers and tissue culture plants of NRCBselection 10 have been provided to various

Fig. 2. Performance evaluation of NRCB Selection10 (ABB)

AICRP centres namely Bhubaneshwar, Jorhat,Coimbatore, Andaman and Nicobar Islandsand Arabhavi to evaluate their performanceunder varied agro-climatic conditions.

NRCB Selection 11 (AAA): The performanceof the high yielding somaclonal variant of cv.Manoranjitham was found to be stable evenin the third ratoon (Table 5 and Fig. 3a & 3b).To evaluate the yield stability of the highyielding variant selected from Kolli hills, theywere mass multiplied and planted at threedifferent locations namely ICAR-NRCB,

Table 5. Yield parameters of cv.Manoranjitham variant

Fig. 3a. NRCB Selection 11 in third ratoon at farmer’sfield in Kolli hills

Characters NRCB Selection-

11(3rdRatoon)

Plant height (cm) 490- 520 cm

Stem girth (cm) 106-110cm

No.of leaves at shooting 17-18

No. of leaves at harvest 13-14

Bunch weight (kg) 45-46

No.of hands 12-14

No.of fingers/hand 17-20

Finger length (cm) 15-16 cm

Finger girth 8-9 cm

Finger weight (g) 195-205

Days for shooting (days) 270-280

Days for harvest (days) 125-130

Crop duration (days) 395-410

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Nadukombai (foot hills of Kolli hills) andValappur Nadu of Kolli hills (1010 m aboveMSL). Regular package of practices are beingadopted and the observations being recorded.

Fig. 3b. Field evaluation of NRCB Selection 11 atICAR - NRCB farm, Tiruchirapalli

NRCB Selection 06 (ABB) : Performanceevaluation was carried out at ICAR-NRCB,Trichy using local Monthan as check. Resultsindicated that it was superior to local checkwith respect to all vegetative and reproductivetraits except for no. of leaves at harvest, no. offingers per hand, their length and girth (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. NRCB Selection 06 in shooting stage

Studies on regeneration systems in banana

Carrageenan is a low cost alternative forgelling agent that substantially reduced the

medium cost by 42-61% when compared tocontrol (agar). Plants derived from MS mediagelled with carrageenan and agar were foundto be on par in terms of growth anddevelopment at various stages ofmultiplication namely rooting, primary andsecondary hardening. They have been fieldplanted for evaluation purpose and the plantsare in the vegetative phase (three months old)and regular observations are being recorded.

Tissue cultured plants of cv.Udhayamderived from three different explants namelyshoot tip, cormlet and male flower bud alongwith sucker control were planted in the farmersfield during last year. Regular package ofpractices were adopted and observations onvegetative parameters were recorded during the3rd, 5th and 7th month after planting. Dataanalysis indicated that during 3rd month, theplants derived from different explants showedhighly significant differences for importantvegetative parameters like plant height, girth,no. of leaves, leaf length, width and petiolarlength. During 5th month, they showed highlysignificant differences for all vegetativeparameters except leaf width and during 7th

month only height, girth and petiolar lengthexhibited highly significant differences amongthe different treatments. They are in theshooting stage and the yield parameters willbe recorded at the time of harvest (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5. Field evaluation of cv. Udhayam derived fromdifferent explants

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Fig. 6. Effect of different growth regulators onmultiplication of shoots derived from male flowerbuds of cv. Ney Poovan

Effect of different growth regulators on

multiplication of shoots derived from male

flower buds of cv. Ney Poovan

BAP in combination with IAA was foundoptimum for shoot multiplication (10 shootsin 14 days) in male flower bud explants of cv.Ney Poovan (Fig. 6).

Standardization of macropropagation

protocol for cvs. Rasthali and Ney Poovan

in pot method

Macropropagation of cvs. Rasthali andNey Poovan using three, five and seven monthsold, steam sterilized and non steamed cormswere attempted both in pot and bed methods.In both the varieties, five and seven monthsold, steam sterilized corms planted in bedmethod produced more number of plants asagainst pot method (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7. Effect of sucker age and steaming on numberof shoots produced during various primarydecortications in cvs. Ney Poovan and Rasthali

4.1.2 Improvement of banana through

conventional breeding

Improvement of Pisang Awak group (ABB)

Pisang Awak members viz., Karpuravalli,Bankela, and Udhayam were crossed with

different male parents like Pisang Lilin, PisangJajee, Cultivar Rose and Calcutta-4. About 867hybrid seeds were collected from 21hybridized bunches. Out of 867 hybrid seeds,70 plants were successfully germinated underin vitro conditions, 46 planted in field and 24plantlets are in primary hardening. Similarly,Bhat Manohar (Pisang Awak type), a naturaltetraploid was crossed with Pisang Jajee andPisang Lilin and 1602 viable seeds wereobtained, of which 10 plants were planted infield and 14 plants are under in vitro

germination.

Improvement of cooking bananas (ABB)

A total of 36 ABB (Saba, Kothia andBangrier) bunches were crossed with suitablemale parents (Pisang Lilin, Cv.Rose andPisang Jajee) and 1951 hybrid seeds wereobtained. Of which, 15 plants were planted infield and 42 plants are under in vitro

germination.

Evaluation of hybrids developed from

commercial cultivars

A total of 76 seedlings of Karpuravalli(19), Bhat Monahar (10), Kothia (7), Chinia(5), Bankela (14), Saba (8), Udhayam (13)based hybrids which were developed usingvarious male parents namely Pisang Jajee,Pisang Lilin, cv. Rose, Calcutta 4 were plantedin the field for performance evaluation.

Development of improved diploids

Progeny No. 429 (Cv. Rose x Pisang Lilin)was found to be an improved diploid as it hassome good agronomic qualities such asparthenocarpy, with average fruit size of 11cmand good TSS content (260brix), polleniferousnature, high pollen fertility, resistant to Foc, fieldtolerant to Sigatoka (M. eumusae) disease.

First time fruit filling was observed inProgeny No. 148 (Pisang Jajee x Lairawk) afterfive years of development. It produces 12-14hands of fruits, 20 – 24 fruits per hand and 5-

Ney Poovan Rasthali

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10 seeds were found in few fruits. It is foundto be field tolerant to Sigatoka (M. eumusae)disease and highly polleniferous in nature.Hence this valuable progeny may be utilizedboth as female and male parents for the bananaimprovement programme (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8. Progeny No. 148

Evaluation of improved diploids for Fusarium

wilt resistance

To identify the Foc (VCG 0124) resistanthybrid progenies, each three suckers of 16hybrids of various cross combinations were

screened against Foc under pot culture. Diseasescoring after three months of spore inoculation,led to the identification of five diploid resistanthybrid progenies (Fig. 9). They are from twodifferent events of M.ornata x M.ac.ssp.

burmannica (Progeny No.425 and 426) andthree events of cv. Rose x Pisang Lilin (427,428, 429). These potential improved diploidscould be successfully utilized in bananabreeding programmes as male parents.

Seed set in open pollination

Seed setting was observed in 16germplasm accessions belonging to various

Fig. 9. CS of Foc resistant banana hybrid progeny

Sl. No. Acc.No. Name Genome Sun group No. of seeds in a bunch

1 2057 Bharatratnavalli ABB Pisang Awak 22 0117 Nepali Chinia ABB Pisang Awak 1103 0059 Agni Malbhog ABB Pisang Awak 524 0089 Battisa Piro ABB Pisang Awak 235 2150 Namwa Khom ABB Pisang Awak 46 0499 Mannan AAB Pome 47 0554 Co-1 AAB Pome 188 0501 Mottapoovan AAB Mysore 89 0619 Mysore Bale AAB Mysore 710 0485 Kullar Kanai ABB Bontha 1211 2142 Blue Jawa ABB Bontha 2212 0137 Singhalaji ABB Bontha 313 2153 Dole ABB Bontha 2214 2110 Kothia ABB Bluggoe 5015 2115 Dudhia ABB Blugggoe 2716 0018 Borkal Baista ABB Unique 40

Table 6. Germplasm accessions showing seed set under open pollination conditions

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genomic groups (Table 6) under openpollinated condition. This preliminaryinformation will facilitate the selection offemale parent in concerned sub group forimprovement programme.

4.1.3 Improvement of banana for root

lesion nematode resistance and marker

development

Development of nematode resistant hybrids

To develop root lesion nematode,Pratylenchus cof feae resistant commercialcultivars namely Karpuravalli and Poovan werecrossed with P.coffeae resistant accessionsnamely Pisang Lilin, cv. Rose, Pisang Jajee andCalcutta 4. Though seed setting was observedin all the cross combinations, embryogermination was observed only in Karpuravallix Pisang Lilin (Fig. 10) and Poovan x PisangLilin combinations. Out of 45 embryos ofKarpuravalli x Pisang Lilin cross combination,19 embryos germinated under in vitro

conditions. Similarly, out of 15 embryos ofPoovan x Pisang Lilin combination, only 5embryos germinated under in vitro conditions.But, the variation in vigour of the seedlings ofKarpuravalli x Pisang Lilin hybrid combinationwas observed in the seedling stage itself.Interestingly, it was observed that the embryosof Karpuravalli and Poovan based progeniesare comparatively smaller in size when cv. Rosewas used as male parent but none of theembryos germinated.

Fig. 10. Karpuravalli x Pisang Lilin hybrids developedthrough embryo culture

Initial evaluation trial of Nendran based

hybrids

For conducting the initial evaluation trial(IET), twenty Nendran based hybrids havebeen multiplied. Both sucker and tissue cultureplantlets were planted in the field for selectionof best hybrids.

Fingerprinting of Nendran based hybrids

Molecular characterization of 21 Nendranbased hybrids was carried out using SSRmarkers. This resulted in development offingerprints for three hybrids namely NPL30,NPL33 and NCR5 with the SSR PrimersNRSIP 14, NRSIP 22 and NRSIP 20respectively (Fig. 11a, 11b & 11c). Out of 40primers, 13 primers showed distinctpolymorphism for NPL33 from other Nendranbased hybrids.

Fig. 11b. NRSIP22 primer showing distinct bandingpattern in NPL33

Fig. 11a. NRSIP14 primer showing distinct bandingpattern in NPL30

Fig. 11c. NRSIP 20 primer showing distinct bandingpattern in NCR 5 and NPL30

Identification and detection of parental

polymorphic markers

For parental polymorphism studies, a totalof 40 in silico polymorphic SSR primers were

16


selected from the MusatransSSR database(http://nrcb.res.in/nrcbbio) and tested againstnematode resistant contrasting parents (threefemale and seven male parents). Except nineprimers, all others showed polymorphismamong any one of the female and malecombinations (Fig. 12). This parentalpolymorphic information will be useful formolecular characterization of the progeniesobtained from respective parents and todevelop nematode resistant markers.

4.1.4 Development of trait specific

markers for Fusarium wilt resistance

through association mapping studies in

banana (Musa spp.)

Out of 99 accessions which wereestablished in pots (five replications each) andinoculated with spores of Foc for phenotypingagainst Fusarium wilt resistance, surprisinglyThozuvan (AAB – Silk) was found to beresistant with disease score of zero (on the scale0-5). Further results indicated that Manohar(BB) which was found resistant in the initialscreening was found to be susceptible in theconfirmatory pot culture studies. GenomicDNA has been isolated for 53 accessions for

use in genotyping and PCR conditions havebeen standardized for the second set of 55primers.

4.1.5 Improvement of cv. Grande Naine

(Cavendish – AAA) for Fusarium wilt

resistance through non-conventional

breeding

Cv. Grand Naine

During the reporting period, about 50shoot tips of cv. Grand Naine were treated withEthyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) at variousconcentrations viz. 1, 2 & 3% for 2, 3, 4 & 5hours and LD50 was determined as 1% EMSfor 4 hours based on fresh weight gain andsurvival percentage. About 150 immature maleflower buds of cv. Grand Naine were initiatedtowards the development of embryogenic cellsuspension (ECS). ECS was mutated withEMS 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 & 0.4% for ½, 1, 1 ½ and 2hours and the LD 50 was determined as EMS0.1% for 1 hour based on fresh weight gain andregeneration efficiency (Fig. 13). Plants derivedfrom irradiated (35 Gy) ECS of cv. GrandNaine have been planted in the sick plot atTheni even prior to pot screening to evaluatetheir resistance against Fusarium wilt (race 1 -VCG 0124).

Fig. 13. Effect of EMS (0.1%) on ECS explants of cv.Grand Naine

Fig. 12. Parental polymorphic primers for nematoderesistance

http://nrcb.res.in/nrcbbio)

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Cv. Rasthali

About eight fusarium wilt resistantmutants of cv.Rasthali namely NRCB RM 60,74, 133, 176, 207, 217, 219 and 230 whichwere planted in the field are in the shootingstage. Third round of pot screening of theforesaid eight fusarium wilt resistant mutantsof cv. Rasthali indicated that only one mutantNRCB RM 217 sustained resistance. About35 lines of fusarium wilt resistant mutants ofcv. Rasthali have also been planted in the sickplot at Theni for confirmation of theirresistance.

4.1.6 Improvement of banana for

Sigatoka leaf spot resistance

Studies on factors responsible for poor

seed set

Ovule viability and stigma receptivitywere studied to identify their role on seed setin banana. Cvs. Poovan and Grand Nainerecorded 220.9 and 341.9 ovules per ovaryrespectively. 57.4 % ovules were viable inPoovan and only 32.2 % ovules were viable inGrand Naine indicating that both Poovan andGrand Naine are female fertile. The stigmareceptivity was studied based on hydrogenperoxide test and pollen germination test (usingCalcutta 4 pollen). Stigma of cv. Poovan andwet stigma of cv. Grand Naine were highlyreceptive on the day of opening with score+++ in H2O2 test whereas Grand Naine drystigma was not receptive and received a scoreof – in H2O2 test. In pollen germination test,pollen germination and pollen tube penetrationwas observed in cv. Poovan and pollengermination was found in wet stigma of GrandNaine and pollen tube did not penetrate intotransmitting tissues of the style. These resultson stigma receptivity study indicated thatPoovan stigma was highly receptive and pollenpistil interaction is compatible. In case of GrandNaine, dry stigma was not receptive and wetstigma was receptive. However there couldhave been a presence of barrier between stigma

and style region,because of which, pollen tubewas not able to penetrate the pollen transmittingtissues of the style leading to failure offertilization and seed set in Grand Naine.

Development of Sigatoka leaf spot resistant

hybrids

Sigatoka is one of the most devastatingdiseases of banana causing 20-50 % yield loss.To develop resistant varieties for Sigatoka leafspot, hybridization between Poovan x PisangLilin (624 fingers), Poovan x Calcutta 4 (327fingers), Grand Naine x Pisang Lilin (492fingers) and Grand Naine x Calcutta 4 (432fingers) were attempted. Total of 73 hybridseeds have been obtained from Poovan (51seeds from Poovan x Pisang Lilin and 22 seedsfrom Poovan x Calcutta 4), while Grand Nainedid not set any seeds. Out of 73 hybrid seedsobtained, 24 embryos were excised andgerminated under in vitro conditions. But onlythree embryos of Poovan x Pisang Lilin havebeen developed into plantlets (Fig. 14).

Fig. 14. In vitro development of Poovan x Pisang Lilinhybrids

4.1.7 Identification and evaluation of

superior clones of cvs. Ney Poovan (AB)

and Grand Naine (AAA)

Survey and collection of elite clones

Surveys were conducted in Theni(Periyakulam, Cumbum, Utthamapalayam andChinnamanur), Erode (Gobichettipalayam andSathiamangalam), Trichy (Thottiyam) and

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Coimbatore (Mettupalayam, Sirumugai andAnnur) districts for the collection of eliteclones of cv. Grand Naine (AAA) and NeyPoovan (AB). This resulted in the collectionof 288 clones (96 Ney Poovan and 192 GrandNaine). Selection criteria included specifictraits viz., short duration, high yield and wiltresistance in Ney Poovan (AB) and dwarfstature, high yield and leaf spot tolerance inGrand Naine (AAA). Elite clones were plantedat NRCB farm for further evaluation (Table 7and Fig. 15a, 15b & 15c).

Clone No. 19

Fig. 15. Dwarf clones of cv. Grand Naine (AAA)

Clone No. 16

Fig. 16. High yieding cv. Ney Poovan (AB)

Fig. 17. High yielding clone of cv. Grand Naine(AAA)

Table 7. Details of elite clones collected during surveys

S. No. Variety Areas covered No. of clones

collected

1 Grand Naine (AAA) Lakshmipuram, Madhurapuri, 8Kombai (Theni Dt.)

2 Grand Naine (AAA) Varattaaru, Madhurapuri, Annanji, 8Erasainaickanur (Theni Dt).

3 Ney Poovan (AB) Thottium (Namakkal Dt.) 2

4 Grand Naine (AAA) Kamegoundan Patty, Erasainaickanur, 42Theni Dt.

5 Ney Poovan (AB) & Dhasappagoundanpudur, Arakkankottai, 84Grand Naine (AAA) Thoppur, Thookkanaickenpalayam,

Bhavanisagar (Erode Dt.)

6 Ney Poovan (AB) & Kandiyur, Kumarapuram, Sirumugai, 144Grand Naine (AAA) Akkarai, SengapalliKallar (Coimbatore Dt.)

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4.2 CROP PRODUCTION AND

POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY

4.2.1 Studies on nutrient dynamics in

banana

Ney Poovan (ratoon-1)

At harvesting stage in Ney Poovan(ratoon-1), a gradual increase in dry matterproduction (DMP) was observed withincreasing levels of recomended dose offertilizer (RDF) of NPK from control to 150%.The highest DMP of 14.18kg was recorded at150% RDF while control recorded 11.98kg.The total DMP in a plant was distributed inthe order of bunch (4182g) > stem (3123g) >corm (2005g) > leaf (1688g) > peduncle (997g)> petiole (358g) > root (334g) > malebud(133g) (Fig. 16).

The nitrogen concentrations (%) indifferent segments of a plant were leaf-2.33,petiole-1.53, stem-2.11, corm-0.51, root-0.62,peduncle-2.12, bunch-0.85 and bud-2.07 while,the phosphorus concentrations (%) were leaf-0.25, petiole-0.33, stem-0.26, corm-0.11, root-0.50, peduncle-0.20, bunch-0.18 and bud-0.17and the potassium concentrations (%) wereleaf-2.37, petiole-1.96, stem-4.02, corm-1.40,root-1.36, peduncle-10.34, bunch-2.82 andbud-1.42. The copper concentrations (ppm) indifferent segments of a plant were leaf-782,petiole-798, stem-1267, corm-917, root-966,peduncle-417, bunch-387 and bud-120 whilethe manganese concentrations (ppm) were leaf-1648, petiole-2299, stem-1500, corm-2593,root-2032, peduncle-586, bunch-211 and bud-504, the zinc concentrations (ppm) were leaf-1086, petiole-185, stem-1147, corm-735, root-323, peduncle-754, bunch-1311 and bud-112and the iron concentrations (ppm) were leaf-3044, petiole-435, stem-3709, corm-2221, root-1113, peduncle-2739, bunch-1195 and bud-1224 (Fig. 18 & 19).

At harvesting stage, the total nutrientuptake (kg/ha) by Ney Poovan were worked

out as N-454.7, P-68.8, K-1080.6, Cu-1.0, Mn-3.0, Zn-3.6 and Fe-1.5 and about 143.3kg N,24.4kg P, 559.1kg K, 0.51kg Cu, 0.73kg Mn,1.56kg Zn and 1.54kg Fe were removed throughbunch harvest, in one hectare soil. The amountof nutrients recycled/added (kg/ha) throughreincorporation of residues Ney Poovan afterbunch harvest were worked out as 311.4kg N,44.5kg P, 521.5kg K, 1.95kg Cu, 7.12kg Mn,1.75kg Zn and 4.35kg Fe.

After bunch harvesting, the residues arevermicomposted. The average nutrientconcentrations in vermicompost generatedfrom a single plant of Ney Poovan plant afterharvest of bunch were Nitrogen-1.22%,Phosphorus-0.18%, Potassium-2.10%, Copper-78.06ppm, Manganese-285.69ppm, Zinc-68.03ppm and Iron-164.37ppm. The averagenutrient contents in vermicompost generatedfrom a single plant of Ney Poovan plant afterharvest of bunch were Nitrogen-117.09g,Phosphorus-16.90g, Potassium-202.36g,Copper-0.75g, Manganese-2.73g, Zinc-0.64gand Iron-1.58g.

Rasthali (ratoon-1)

At harvesting stage in Rasthali (ratoon-1), a gradual increase in DMP was observed inincreasing levels of RDF of NPK from controlto 150%. The highest DMP of 19.54kg wasrecorded at 150% RDF while control recorded13.90kg. The total DMP in a plant wasdistributed in the order of bunch (5276g) >stem (3796g) > corm (3213g) > leaf (2048g)> peduncle (1068g) > root (520) > petiole(511g) > malebud (131). The per cent fractionsof DMP in a plant were malebud-1%, bunch-32%, peduncle-7%, leaf-12%, petiole-3%, stem-23%, corm-19% and root-3% (Fig. 17).

The nitrogen concentrations (%) indifferent segments of a plant were leaf-2.53,petiole-0.56, stem-0.86, corm-0.50, root-0.47,peduncle-1.01, bunch-1.13 and bud-0.65 whilethe phosphorus concentrations (%) in differentsegments of a plant were leaf-0.25, petiole-0.23,stem-0.29, corm-0.14, root-0.12, peduncle-

20


0.14, bunch-0.20 and bud-0.16 and thepotassium concentrations (%) in differentsegments of a plant were leaf-2.00, petiole-1.83,stem-2.99, corm-1.17, root-1.22, peduncle-8.40, bunch-3.24 and bud-0.76. The copperconcentrations (ppm) in different segments ofa plant were leaf-546, petiole-623, stem-813,corm-967, root-1016, peduncle-376, bunch-406and bud-89 while the manganeseconcentrations (ppm) in different segments ofa plant were leaf-1931, petiole-1879, stem-1872, corm-1945, root-1896, peduncle-735,bunch-224 and bud-655, the zincconcentrations (ppm) in different segments ofa plant were leaf-1107, petiole-238, stem-198,corm-220, root-282, peduncle-187, bunch-734and bud-131 and the iron concentrations (ppm)in different segments of a plant were leaf-2631,petiole-2217, stem-2040, corm-1711, root-2099, peduncle-2031, bunch-1430 and bud-778(Fig. 20 & 21).

Fig. 16. DMP fraction of Ney Poovan (r-1) at harvest Fig. 17. DMP fraction of Rasthali (r-1) at harvest

At harvesting stage, the total nutrientuptake (kg/ha) by Rasthali were worked outas N-450.7, P-87.6, K-1196.2, Cu-2.8, Mn-5.5,Zn-4.2 and Fe-5.4 and about 179.8kg N, 30.5kgP, 666.8kg K, 0.45kg Cu, 0.50kg Mn, 2.12kgZn and 1.70kg Fe were removed through bunchharvest, in one hectare soil. The amount ofnutrients recycled/added (kg/ha) throughreincorporation of residues Rasthali afterbunch harvest were worked out as 270.9kg N,57.1kg P, 529.4kg K, 2.11kg Cu, 4.95kg Mn,2.04kg Zn and 3.70kg Fe.

After bunch harvesting, the residues arevermicomposted. The average nutrientconcentrations in vermicompost generatedfrom a single plant of Ney Poovan plant afterharvest of bunch were Nitrogen-0.76%,Phosphorus-0.16%, Potassium-1.45%, Copper-56.53ppm, Manganese-136.83ppm, Zinc-57.50ppm and Iron-98.11ppm. The average

Fig. 18. NPK distribution (g/plant) in a Ney PoovanPlant at harvest

Fig. 19. Micronutrient distribution (g/plant) in a NeyPoovan plant at harvest

21


nutrient contents in vermicompost generatedfrom a single plant of Ney Poovan plant afterharvest of bunch were Nitrongen-101.86g,Phosphorus-21.02g, Potassium-194.82g,Copper-0.78g, Manganese-1.86g, Zinc-0.77gand Iron-1.38g.

Root studies

Under nutrient dynamics studies, in NeyPoovan (r-1) at harvesting stage, the RootLength Densities (RLD in mm.cm -1) were0.298, 0.054 and 0.030 at 0.0-0.5ft depth, 0-1,1-2 and 2-3ft away from base of the plant,respectively. The corresponding RLDs were0.925, 0.185 and 0.078 at 0.5-1.0ft depth and0.566, 0.099 and 0.061 at 1.0-1.5ft depth. InRasthali (r-1) at harvesting stage, thecorresponding RLDs were 0.256, 0.084 and0.055 at 0.0-0.5ft depth, 0.770, 0.249 and 0.174at 0.5-1.0ft depth and 0.508, 0.160 and 0.116at 1.0-1.5ft depth.

Quantity / Intensity studies of soil

potassium

Quantity parameters (€ K expressed in cmol

kg-1)

At 10-leaf stage, the plant crop soilrecorded € K of 0.25, while the ratoon-1 cropsoil recorded 0.23. At 20-leaf stage, the plantcrop soil recorded € K of 0.23, while the ratoon-1 crop soil recorded 0.44. At shooting stage,

the plant crop soil recorded € K of 0.19, whilethe ratoon-1 crop soil recorded 0.37. Atharvesting stage, the plant crop soil recorded€ K of 0.19, while the ratoon-1 crop soilrecorded 0.34.

Intensity parameters (AReK expressed in (M/

L)0.5)

At 10-leaf stage, the plant crop soilrecorded ARe

K of 13.38, while the ratoon-I cropsoil recorded 9.14. At 20-leaf stage, the plantcrop soil recorded ARe

K of 12.66, while theratoon-I crop soil recorded 8.04. At shootingstage, the plant crop soil recorded ARe

K of10.98, while the ratoon-I crop soil recorded7.26. At shooting stage, the plant crop soilrecorded ARe

K of 9.82, while the ratoon-I cropsoil recorded 7.22.

Potential Buffering Capacity of Soil for

Potassium (PBC-K expressed in cmol.kg-1.

(M/L)-0.5)

At 10-leaf stage, the plant crop soilrecorded PBC-K of 18.56, while the ratoon-Icrop soil recorded 45.56. At 20-leaf stage, theplant crop soil recorded PBC-K of 18.91, whilethe ratoon-I crop soil recorded 53.94. Atshooting stage, the plant crop soil recordedPBC-K of 17.37, while the ratoon-I crop soilrecorded 50.68. At harvesting stage, the plantcrop soil recorded PBC-K of 19.22, while theratoon-I crop soil recorded 49.88.

Fig. 20. NPK distribution (g/plant) in a Rathali Plantat harvest

Fig. 21. Micronutrient distribution (g/plant) in aRasthali plant at harvest

22


Comparison of adsorbed potassium

In ratoon-1 soil, the K adsorbed on non-specific (Knsp) site was greater than that ofplant crop soil, at all crop growth stages. Inratoon-1 soil, the K adsorbed on the specificsites (Ksp) was less than that of plant crop soil,at all crop growth stages. Though significant“potassium mining” occurs in bananacultivated soil, recycling of banana residues forratooning significantly improved the PotentialBuffering Capacity for Potassium (PBC-K) ofsoil by 159.5%. Thus, in situ recycling ofbanana residues for ratooning will ensure asustainable potassium supplying power of soilfor banana, through significant replenishmentof K at “non-specific sites” of clay lattice, inlong run (Fig. 22).

Fig. 22. Quantity / Intensity relation in soil of plantcrop and ratoon – I (at harvesting stage)

4.2.2 Development of clump

management technology for enhanced

productivity in Banana

An experiment was laid out with bananacv. Ney Poovan and the treatment plants wereplanted at a spacing of 2.4m X 3.0m and fourdifferent plant population were maintained byallowing either 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 suckers perclump along with the mother plant at differentstages of growth and the treatment plants wereimposed with three different levels of fertilizersviz., 125% RDF, 150% RDF and 175% RDFper clump. Besides, a control was maintainedby planting single sucker per pit at 2.0m X 2.0mspacing and allowing one sucker per plant afterflowering of mother plant with 100% RDF(traditional farmers’ practice). Observations

recorded on various plant growth parameters,flowering, yield and yield attributes as well asplant nutrient status revealed significantdifferences among the treatment plants.

Effect on Growth

In the plant crop of cv. Ney Poovan, thedata revealed that significant differences wereobserved with regard to the plant growthparameters such as plant height, pseudostemcircumference, leaf characteristics, phyllochron(days) and leaf chlorophyll contents whereas,the number of healthy leaves at flowering wasfound non-significant among the treatmentstried in this experiment. Among the varioustreatment combinations of different plantpopulation and levels of fertilizers, the plantheight ranged from 296.7cm (T2-S1N2) to380.0cm (T10-S4N1).

Among the four populations, S4 (motherplant + 4 suckers) recorded the tallest plants(353.7cm) while the shortest plants wererecorded in S1 (295.6 cm). The phyllochroni.e., days taken for emergence of leaf ranged

Fig. 23. Effect of clump management on plant growthparameters and phyllochron

23


from 7.12 days (T1- S1N1) to 8.87 days (T5-S2N2) and the control plants (T13) took 6.99days per leaf. Among the levels of fertilizers,application of 150% RDF recorded lesserphyllochron while the highest fertilizer dose of175% RDF slowed the leaf emergence as thetreatment took 8.24 days for producing a leaf.

The leaf characteristics such as leaflength, leaf breadth, as well as specific leafweight varied significantly among thetreatments. The leaf length varied from201.7cm (T2) to 226.7 cm (T11) and the leadbreadth ranged from 54.7 cm (T2) to 66.7 cm.Whereas, the largest mean leaf area (1.08 m2),total leaf area (18.04 m2) and the highestspecific leaf weight was recorded in the control(T13) i.e., allowing one side suckers after thebunch emergence of the mother plant (Fig. 23).

Effect on flowering

The data on the interval between plantingof suckers to flower emergence was foundhighly significant among the treatments. Plantsunder the treatment T2 (S1N2) recorded theearliest flowering in 311.5 days while T12(S4N3) took the longest time of 348.9 daysfor flowering. Among the three levels offertilizers, the time taken for flowering wasextended by the application of higher dose of175% RDF (335.9 days) while the lowest doseof 125% RDF per clump showed earlyflowering (320.3 days) (Fig. 24).

Effect on fruit maturity

The bunch weight and other yieldattributes varied significantly among differenttreatment combinations s and the highestbunch weight of 13.93 kg was recorded in T13(Control) and that was on par with T3-S1N3(13.1 kg) and T2-S1N2 (12.97 kg). Among thefour populations tried, mother plant + onesucker recorded the highest bunch weight of12.81 kg. Regarding the effect of levels offertilizers, the bunch weight was found similarin all the three levels of fertilizers (Fig. 25).

Effect on leaf nutrient concentrations

Data on leaf nutrient concentrationsshowed significant different among the differenttreatment combinations. The N (%) rangedfrom 1.27% to 1.75% while the leaf K contentwas in the range of 1.80 to 2.66% (Fig. 26).

Fig. 24. Effect of clump management on flowering

Fig. 25. Effect of clump management on fruitcharacters

Fig. 26. Effect of clump management on leaf nutrientconcentrations

24


Post Harvest Technology

4.2.3 Survey on varieties suitable for leaf

purpose

Ney Poovan, Grand Naine, Red Banana,Naatu Vazhai and Ottu Nattu Vazhai are usedfor leaf purpose at Chinamannur and Cumbumareas of Theni District, Tamil Nadu, while itis ‘Monthan’ followed by ‘Poovan’ inCuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Poovan andKarpuravalli are cultivated and marketed inCoimbatore and adjoining Tirupur Districts ofTamil Nadu for leaf purpose.

Post-harvest management of banana leaves

Harvesting is done from 4 th monthonwards. Thirty to fourty leaves are harvestedper hill. Leaves packed with green and drybanana leaf as packing materials can be storedfor two to four days in Ney Poovan, three tofour days in Robusta and four to six days inRed Banana. Naatu Vazhai and Ottu NattuVazhai can be stored for ten to twelve days.Leaves are harvested daily to the tune of twobundles and weekly 12 bundles, totaling to 48bundles for a month, containing 200 numbersof leaves per bundle. Maximum number ofleaf production was reported in Rasthali, whencompared to other varities.

Packing of banana leaves

Of the packing materials used for packingthe ‘Poovan’ banana leaves, foam sheetextended the shelf-life of leaves for 14 days at13.50C cold storage, followed by leaves packedwith wet gunny bags (13 days) compared tothat stored at room temperature (9 days).However, single layer leaves registered theminimum shelf-life.

Pre-treatment on shelf-life of banana leaves

Banana leaves pre-treated with water forone hour daily by immersion expressed moreshelf-life that of untreated control kept in roomtemperature. Of the different varieties used for

pre-treatment with water for one hour daily byimmersion, Kungsong wild gave maximumshelf-life (10.34 days), followed byKarpuravalli, Saba, Progeny 183, Pagalapadwild, Ezha Vazhai and Phrima wild 5 days each.

Starch content of commercial varieties of

banana at different maturity levels

Maximum starch content (30.80%) wasrecorded in ‘Nendran’ at 95-100% maturitylevel, while it was ‘Saba’ (27.87%) at 80 - 85%maturity and ‘Nendran’ (25.60%) at 70 - 75%maturity level, among the three plantain(culinary) varieties evaluated at three maturitylevels. The data recording on the differentvarieties of banana and plantain in the fieldare in progress for maturity and heat units. Ofthe different maturity levels evaluated for‘Pachanadan’ banana, maximum total solublesolids (22-23oBrix) with high total sugarcontent (20 - 22%) and low acidity (0.45-0.46%) was recorded at 75% and 90% maturitylevels, compared to full-maturity level.

4.2.4 Extending the shelf-life of banana

cv. Ney Poovan using MAP

Post-harvest handling techniques alongwith modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)recorded 29 days shelf-life in cv. Ney Poovanwith 90% maturity at room temperature whencompared to absolute control (7 days).However, 49 days shelf-life in cv. ‘Ney Poovan’was observed by adopting post-harvest handlingtechniques along with modified atmospherepackaging and cold storage (13.5°C).

Evaluation of banana varieties for corm juice

The recovery of banana corm juice washighest in ‘Udhayam’ (94.8%) and the lowestin Hill Banana (75%). Out of six varieties ofbanana evaluated for corm juice, Údhayam’recorded maximum recovery (94.8%), followedby ‘Nendran’ (91%) and Saba (88.55%).However, maximum total sugars and proteincontent were registered with ‘Hill Banana’.

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4.2.5 Development and refinement of

banana pulp based products

Banana nutri-bars with four differentflavours and colours consisting of banana pulp,corn flour, groundnut, cashew nut, cardamomand clove powders have been developed, whichhas been accepted. Pure banana jam was refinedby mixing with different fruits. Among thevarious combinations, banana mixed withapple was accepted. Banana fig was refined byadding different proportions of honey, lemonand ginger juice to obtain good flavor, taste andstorability. Among the various combinations,85% honey + 15% water was accepted withhedonic scale of 7.23. However, maximumenergy with high sugar level was registered with95% honey + 5% water.

Standardization of banana f lour based

extruded (pasta) products

Among the several combinations, bananaflour and refined wheat flour (maida) at 60:40resulted in good texture after blanching. Bananaflour based pasta products were developed incombination with wheat flour and wheyprotein.

4.2.6 Functions of resistant starch and

designer food development from banana

flour

Standardization of drying condition for

banana flour

Pre-treatments for drying of banana cv.Grand Naine were standardized. Combinationof KMS + citric acid (0.25% each) as pre-treatment for drying of banana resulted inbetter overall acceptability of flour (8.6) thanthe NaCl (1%) (7.3). Better rehydration ratio(1:2.4) and resistant starch content (49.26%)was observed at a drying temperature of 55°Cthan other temperatures. Swelling power of theflour irrespective of drying temperature ismaintained to 4-6% till 70°C but it reached

Fig. 27. Pattern of equilibrium relative humidity ofBanana flour

12% with an increase in water temperature to90°C. Non enzymatic browning B (0.43)increased with the increase in dryingtemperature (65°C) of the banana slices.

Standardization of packaging environment

Equilibrium relative humidity studiesrevealed that 13.13 % and 14.57% were thedanger and critical point respectively for storingthe banana flour. Optimum RH for storing thebanana flour is 55-60% as the flour tends todevelop fungal growth with higher RH andbecomes highly dry with RH < 30% (Fig. 27).

Fig. 28. Surface characters of banana powder dried at55oC

Starch extraction procedures

Extraction of starch with three washes ofwater using 100 and 60 mesh sieves instead of

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Fig. 29. Surface characters of banana starch

single mesh has provided white starch powderfrom culled banana of cv. Grand Naine. Thiswas standardized through physical andenzymatic methods. Banana varieties cv. GrandNaine, Monthan and Saba were studied for theirphysico-chemical properties with specialemphasis on resistant starch content.Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) andSEM analysis were carried out to study thefunctionality of starch of different cultivars.Swelling capacity, water and oil holdingcapacity of the samples were also standardized(Fig. 28 & 29).

Fig.30. Dried pasta with different combinations ofwheat, banana flour and resistant starch

Preparation of bread and cookies

Low glycemic and slow calorie releasebread and cookies were prepared with variousmixtures of wheat: banana flour and resistantstarch. Nutritional composition and sensorycharacteristics were determined. Addition ofbanana flour and resistant starch increased theantioxidant capacity and mineral content. Thebread prepared with 15 % replacement withbanana flour and 10% with resistant starch hasgiven a good product compared to othercombinations (Fig. 30).

Preparation of resistant starch rich pasta

(RSRP) from banana

Various formulations consisting of 100%durum wheat (control) and mixtures ofwheat:banana flour and resistant starch wereprepared for pasta processing. Nutritionalcomposition and sensory characteristics weredetermined. The addition of banana flourincreased the indigestible fraction and thecontent of phenolic compounds in the pasta.Moreover, addition of banana flour increasedthe antioxidant capacity and mineral content.

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4.3 PHYSIOLOGY AND

BIOCHEMISTRY

4.3.1 Physiology

High temperature and soil moisture deficit

stresses in banana

Studies on drought alleviation using

biochemical in cv. Grand Naine

In a field, tissue cultured banana cv. GrandNaine were grown and soil moisture deficitstress imposed in the field at 5th month and atflowering. Five month after planting coincideswith floral primordial initiation and during thatperiod there is a sudden increase in plant heightand girth (Fig. 31). The soil moisture is allowedto deplete to the level of - 0.8 to -0.9 MPa.The foliar priming of Grand Naine bananaplants with 0.1mM acetyl salicylic acid,Butylated Hydroxyl Toluene (100 ppm), andGlycine Betaine (20 ppm) before impositionof soil moisture stress. The foliar primed plantssustained photosynthesis and stomatalconductance 5 - 6 fold higher than non-primedplants. But the Glycine betaine and BHT didnot have much effect on gas exchangeparameters.

Fig. 31. Plant pseudostem height and girth from 3-7months after planting

Application of soil moisture stress at 5th

month after planting in cv. Grand Nainedelayed flowering by 12-23 days irrespectiveof application of soil alleviation chemicals(Fig. 32).

Fig. 32. Days taken from planting to flowering

The number of fingers decreased by soilmoisture stress and application of stressalleviation chemicals (Glycine Betaine (T4) andButylated Hydroxy Toluene (T5)) reduced theeffect of soil moisture stress which is evidencedby increase in fingers numbers compared tonon-alleviating stress treatment (Fig. 33).

Fig. 33. Number of banana fingers affected by droughttreatments

In a field grown banana cv. Grand Naine,plants were subjected to soil moisture deficitstress along with drought stress alleviationchemicals of Acetyl Salicylic Acid (ASA),Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) andGlycine Betaine (GB) in different combination.In an irrigated treatment, average bunch weightof 35.25 kg was recorded with 12.75 handscompared to 19.75kg with 9.25 hands indrought stressed treatment. However, theplants which were foliar primed (ASA + GB)prior to drought imposition recordedsignificantly higher bunch yield (27.75 kg) andmore number of hands (10.25).

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Effect of shade on drought and salt stress in

Grand Naine

Banana plants imposed with soil moisturedeficit (-0.8 to -0.9 MPa) and salt stress (100mM NaCl) under shaded condition (50% oflight) recorded significant decrease (14.3 –17.15 %) in photosynthesis compared tostressed plants under natural light. However,in terms of total dry matter productionsignificantly reduced (37-43%) in plants grownunder full natural light with drought and saltstressed treatments after three weeks of stressperiod. The senescence of leaves significantlyincreased (45%) in drought stressed plantsunder natural light than under shade stressedplants. The survival rate of shade stressedplants were higher (94%) than natural light indrought and salt stressed plants (48%). Theshade reduced the intensity of drought and saltstresses, evidenced by survival percentage.Based on growth parameters, it is revealed thatPoovan, Ney Poovan, Grand Naine and Sabaare shade tolerant and Karpuravalli is a shadesensitive cultivar.

4.3.2 Biochemistry

Enhancement of pre-harvest life of bananas

To study the enhancement of pre-harvestin planta life of bananas, Poovan bunches wereselected from an experimental plot and wereallowed to attain full (100%) maturity and alsoripening of top first two hands. After excisionof ripe hands, bunches were treated byfumigation with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at a concentration of 1 l/Lfor 12 hrand covering the bunches with polythenesleeves air-tight (Fig. 34a). Similarly, Poovanbunches were treated with lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (a lipid-derivedsenescence retardant) at 500 ppmconcentration. Distilled water treatment wasused as control in both cases and bunches wereallowed to ripe. The control bunches startedripening on the same day and fifty percent ofthe hands ripened in two days (Fig. 34b) and

the 1-MCP treated bunches started ripening oneleventh day simultaneously showing maturitybrowning thus enhancing the in planta greenlife of Poovan bunches for 10 days (Fig. 34c)after which the bunches showed maturitybrowning. The LPE treatment on full maturePoovan bananas had the in planta green life forfour days against control of two days resultingin enhancement of pre-harvest green life onlyby two days.

Fig. 34: Treatment of 1-MCP to increase the greenlife pre-harvest in planta life of bananas - (a):Treatment of 1-MCP on full mature Poovan bunch;(b): Water-treated control bunch and (c) 1-MCPtreated bunch after 10 days.

The ripening behavior of pre-harvestPoovan bananas treated with 1-MCP duringpost-harvest self-ripening and induced-ripeningfollowing ethylene (2-chloroethylphosphonicacid, ethrel) treatment were evaluated. Thecontrol bananas and 1-MCP treated bananaswith ethylene spray ripened within three days,but the 1-MCP treated bananas on self-ripeningripened after seven days (Fig. 35).

Fig. 35. Ripe hand of 1-MCP treated Poovan hand.

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The ethylene evolution rate in self-ripening and induced-ripening of 1-MCPtreated bananas was 2.10 and 2.18 ppm/hrrespectively against 4.64 ppm/hr of controlbananas during colour breaking stage and 3.14and 3.56 ppm/hr respectively against 4.92ppm/hr of control bananas at ripening stage-6. The polygalacturanase activity in self-ripening and induced-ripening of 1-MCPtreated bananas were 0.042 and 0.048 Unitactivity/g fr. wt. respectively against 0.092 U/g in control bananas at colour breaking stageand 0.36 and 0.38 U/g respectively against0.56 U/g in control bananas at ripening stage-6 indicating that the ethylene release andconsequently cell wall depolymerizingenzymes activity were blocked by the 1-MCPtreatment. The qualitative parameters (TSSand acidity) of pre-harvest Poovan bananastreated with 1-MCP after ripening were inacceptable levels as those of untreated controlfruits. The TSS of Poovan bananas ranged from22.4-24.7°B and acidity (%) from 0.31-0.38.

Enhancement of post-harvest green life of

bananas

Grand Naine and Poovan (full and fullthree quarter maturity) hands, after watercleaning and fungicide treatment, were treatedwith LPE and other lysophospholipids such aslysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidyl-choline, lysophosphatidyl glycerol andlysophosphatidyl inositol and lysophosphatidylserine at different concentrations of 50, 100,250, 500 and 1000 ppm by dipping for 30 min.and stored at 13.5°C and ambient temperature(24-27°C). Except LPE, other lyso-phospholipids did not have any effect on greenlife enhancement on post-harvest bananas. TheLPE too at the concentrations of 50, 100 and250ppm did not have much effect onenhancement of green life of bananas and only500 and 1000 ppm concentrations had thesame effect and enhanced the green life ofbananas to 11 days at 13.5°C and four days atambient temperature. There was no differencein enhancement of green life period between

the full maturity and full three quarter maturityat both 13.5°C and ambient temperatures.

Mechanism of 1-MCP and LPE action on

ripening delaying

To understand the action of 1-MCP ondelaying of ripening, the enzymes involved inbiosynthesis of ethylene such asS-adenosylmethionine synthetase,1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylase (ACC)synthase and ACC oxidase were assayed andalso the metabolite precursors of ethylenebiosynthesis such as methionine, S-adenosylmethionine and 1-aminocyclopropane1-carboxylic acid were quantified spectrophotometrically during different ripeningstages for 7 days in 1-MCP treated anduntreated control Poovan bananas. OnlytheACC synthase showed lower activity andhigher levels of S-adenocylmethionine in 1-MCP treated bananas compared to controlbananas throughout the ripening stagesindicating the 1-MCP tends to block the ACCsynthase activity and consequently causingaccumulation of S-adenosyl-methionine, thesubstrate for ACC synthase. The activity ofACC synthase in 1-MCP treated bananas was5.26 nmol/g fresh tissues as against 2.32 nmol/g fresh weight pulp tissue on seven days after1-MCP treatment. Similarly, the accumulationof S-adenosyl methionine was higher (5.82nmol/g pulp tissue) in 1-MCP treated bananascompared to untreated control bananas (0.74nmol/g) (Fig. 36). The activity of other

Fig. 36. Accumulation of S-adenocylmethionine(nmol/g) in 1-MCP treated Poovan bananas.

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enzymes and levels of other substrates wereequal in both 1-MCP treated and control.

To understand the mechanism of delayingof ripening by LPE, activities of phospholipaseD (PLD), phospholipase A & C and lipolyticacyl hydrolase were assayed in peel tissuesLPE-treated and untreated control GrandNaine bananas.The PLD showed lower levelsof activity (1.26 µmole/min/mg) in LPE -treated bananas whereas the activity was higher(15.34 µmole/min/mg) in untreated controlbananas on day two after treatment (Fig. 37)and activity of other enzymes showed nodifference implying that LPE inhibited onlyPLD activity, which plays major role inmaintaining membrane integrity during earlystage of senescence.

Poovan banana by estimation of total starchand resistant starch enzymatically, estimationof amylose content and glucose estimation bystarch digestion and preparation of starchhydrolysis index curve and calculation of GI.The GI of seven ripening stages of Poovan was18.3, 21.6, 26.8, 34.2, 46.5, 55.2 and 77.2.Parameters required for maximum recovery oftotal flavonoids from banana fruit peel tissuewas standardized in Poovan. Extractionduration of 1 to 4 hr, ethanol concentration of50 to 100%, temperature of 60 to 95 °C andmaterial to solvent ratio of 1:1 to 1:20 wereanalyzed and the maximum amount offlavonoids of 23.3 mg/g dry was obtained fromPoovan peel when extracted for 3 hr by using95% ethanol solution at 80°C with the ratio ofraw materials to ethanol solution of 1:10. Thetotal flavonoid contents in peel of GrandNaine, Rasthali, Poovan and Karpooravalliwere estimated using the above method andfound to be 19.6, 22.5, 23.3 and 21.7 mg/gdry weight.

Flowers of six banana cultivars viz.,Kothia (ABB), Ginde (ABB), Pisang Lilin(AA), Calcutta 4 (AA), Pisang Jajee (AA) andCv. Rose (AA) were collected and totalanthocyanin pigments were extracted from thebract using acidified methanol andanthocyanins were estimated spectro-photometrically. The contents of totalanthocyanins in bracts were: Kothia - 84;Ginde - 111; Pisang Lilin - 108; Calcutta 4 -122; Pisang Jajee - 116 and Cv. Rose - 102 mg/100 g fresh weight.

Fig. 37. Activity level of phospholipase D in LPEtreated Grand Naine bananas.

Biochemical characterization of fruits and

flower

The estimation of glycemic index (GI)was standardized in seven ripening stages of

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4.4 CROP PROTECTION

4.4.1 Management of banana weevils

Isolation of banana true stem volatiles and

other bio-molecules for weevil monitoring

and their management

More than 342 volatile components wereextracted and analyzed through GC-MS andidentified from eleven commercial bananacultivars’ viz., Poovan (AAB), Ney Poovan(AB), Nendran (AAB), Monthan (ABB),Karpuravalli (ABB), Rasthali (AAB), GrandNaine (AAA), Red banana (AAB),Pachaladan (AAB), Saba (ABB) andVirupakshi (AAB).

Isolation of pheromone components from

banana stem weevil

Volatile compounds from banana stemweevil were collected by air-entrainmentmethod and analysed by GC-MS and identifiedusing NIST Library. Using GC-EAD facility,six volatile compounds were identified fromweevils.

Isolation of antennal proteins of stem weevil

to identify Odorant Binding Proteins (ODP)

Antennal and larval hemolymph proteinswere isolated and separated by SDS-PAGEfrom antenna of stem weevil and its grub.Three proteins – odorant binding protein,chitinase 2 and chitinase 1 were identified usingMASCOT analysis.

Bio-assay of leaf sheath volatiles and stem

weevil volatiles against stem weevil

Selected semiochemicals were testedindividually by subtractive bio-assay methodand in combination with olfactometry and windtunnel. Weevil attraction was up to 70-85 %.The volatile bio-molecules attracted both maleand female weevils.

In vitro evaluation of Zimmu extract under

against banana weevils

Out of six botanicals (Zimmu, Nanma,Menma, Gallic acid, Azadirachtin andChlorpyriphos) screened against banana stemweevil, Zimmu extract was found moreeffective followed by Menma and Gallic acid.

Isolation of endophytes from Musa

Entomopathogenic endophytes such asBeauveria sp., Metarhizium sp., Penicillium

citrinum and Simplicillium obclavatum wereisolated from Musa accessions 190, 1066, 0015,0028 and 0078.

Survey of banana insects and collection of

banana scarring beetle

Survey was conducted in banana growingareas of Kholapur District (Mahagaon, Nesari,Kandewadi, Satawane (Chandgad), Basarge,Sohale (Azara), Nipani (Karnataka), Majale(Hatkalngda),Chipari and Shirol. Banana stemweevil, fruit fly and skipper butterfly damagewere recorded. Survey in Kerala revealed thebanana slug caterpillar leaf damage. Scarringbeetles were collected from Jorhat andSibsagar districts of Assam. Banana tingid bugwas collected from Manipur and mites werecollected from developing fingers ofRhodochlamys at Lower Dibang Valley.

4.4.2 Pest mapping in bananas and

plantains in India

Field collection surveys carried out inThadiyankudisai, Periyakulam, Pollachi andnearby areas (Tamil Nadu), B.R. Hills(Karnataka) and Kerala resulted in aestablishment of a reference collection ofinsect pests of banana, their natural enemiesand other insects associated with bananaecosystem. Documentation of the naturalenemy complex of banana skipper, Erionota

torus was done for the first time in India andnearly 10 parasitoids were identified fromTamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Mizoram.

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Two parasitoids, Ooencyrtus pallidipes andElasmus brevicornis were identified as majorparasitoids in South India. Pediobius sp.,Tetrastichus sp. (Eulophidae), two undeterminedspecies of Tachinidae, Cotesia erionotae

(Braconidae), and an indeterminate species ofIchneumonidae were the other parasitoidsrecorded on E. torus. Spatulifimbria castaneiceps,

Spatulifimbria nr. grisea and Amata passalis wererecorded as pests of banana from Tamil Nadu.New parasitoids of Olene mendosa, Amata

passalis, and Kophene cuprea on banana wereidentified. Molecular characterization bysequencing the mitochondrial COX1 gene wasdone for banana pests including Cosmopolites

sordidus, Odoiporus longicollis, Basilepta

subcostata, Olepa ricini, Erionota torus, Thrips

hawaiiensis, Aleurolobus musae, Stephanitis typica,

Kophene cuprea and one predator, Stethorus

pauperculus. GenBank accession numbers wereobtained for some of these sequences andDNA barcodes were generated forT. hawaiiensis, A. musae and S. typica.

Rugose spiralling whitefly, a new invasive

pest on banana

The rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus

rugioperculatus Martin, recently reported fromIndia from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnatakawas documented on banana and the extent ofdamage and natural enemy complex wereassessed. In Pollachi and nearby places in

Tamil Nadu, severe infestation of this pest wasobserved on banana besides coconut. All thestages of the whitefly were observed on theleaves and fruits of banana. Encarsia

guadeloupae, an exotic parasitoid was found tocause 60–70% parasitism of this whitefly.Encarsia dispersa, a species that was accidentallyintroduced along with the spiralling whitefly,was also found to parasitize this whitefly. Thisis the first report of this host association forE. dispersa. Several indigenous predators viz.,Pseudomallada sp., Cybocephalus sp., Diadiplosis

sp., Jauravia pallidula, Scymnus nubilus,Menochilus sexmaculatus and Scymnus coccivora

were observed to feed on this whitefly (Fig.38a & 38b).

4.4.3 Investigation on fungal and bacterial

diseases of banana and their management

Rapid detection and diagnosis of eumusae

leaf spot pathogen from crude DNA

A rapid detection and diagnosis techniqueof eumusae leaf spot from crude DNA wasdeveloped using LAMP primers, FIP1L andBIP1L which were highly specific toeumusae leaf spot pathogen (Fig. 39).

Fig. 38. a) Rugose spiralling whitefly; b) Encarsia

guadeloupae

a b

First report of the occurrence of Tropical

race 4 of Fusarium wilt in India

Surveys conducted on cv. Grand Naineand Robusta grown in Vaishali, Khagaria,Bhagalpur, Katihar and Purnia districts of Bihar

Fig. 39. Pure DNA samples from M. eumusae culture,2-3 Crude DNA samples extracted from the purecultures of M. eumusae isolated from cvs. Grand Naineand Rasthali, 4-6- Crude DNA samples extracted fromthe single leaf spot tissue of cvs. Grand Naine, Rasthaliand Monthan, 7- Non template control

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revealed the incidence of Fusarium wilt disease(0.5% to 26% ) from Katihar and Purniadistricts. Analysis of the disease samplesfurther confirmed the presence of Tropical race4. This is the first authentic report of Tropicalrace 4 infecting banana in India. Damagesymptoms include yellowing and drooping ofleaves around the pseudostem, longitudinalsplitting of pseudostem, and black to brownvascular discoloration in the corm andpseudostem. Awareness meetings wereorganized with farmers of Katihar and Purniadistricts to prevent further spread (Fig. 40).

Isolation and characterization of principle

compounds from fusarium wilt (Foc)

suppressive Trichoderma asperellum

A total of nine principle compounds wereextracted, separated and identified fromsecondary metabolites of Trichoderma

asperellum. In vitro evaluation of these ninecompounds against Foc TR4 at 0.1%, 0.5% and1.0% indicated that only PC- T3 at 1%exhibited 100% inhibition of mycelial growthof Foc TR4.

Effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from

zimmu leaf extract against Foc

Silver nano particles from Zimmu plantextract were synthesized with particle size of13.5 nm in diameter. SEM analysis confirmedthe silver nano particles synthesized fromZimmu plant extract were uniformly dispersedand spherical in shape (Fig. 41).

Fig. 40. Fusarium wilt infected banana cv. GrandNaine

Isolation, characterization and evaluation of

principle compounds from Zimmu against

tropical race 4 of Fusarium wilt (Foc TR4)

Principle compounds were captured fromZimmu leaves and roots and analyzed by GC -MS. A total of 16 compounds were identified.In vitro evaluation of the principle compoundscarried out against Foc TR4 pathogen by agarwell diffusion method showed that the principlecompounds PC-1, 2, 3, and 4 at 1% conc.recorded 100% mycelial inhibition of pathogen.Principle compound 1 showed 100% inhibitionof mycelial growth and spore germination at0.1%.

Fig. 41. SEM image of Zimmu silver nanoparticles.

In vitro and in vivo evaluations against Foc TR4

The in vitro evaluation of AgNPs at 50,75 and 100ppm against Foc TR4 showed thatthe AgNPs at 100 ppm conc. recorded 100%inhibition of mycelial growth and sporegermination. The activity of these biologicallysynthesized AgNPs increased as the

34


concentration of nano particles increased. In apot culture experiment, the banana cv. GrandNaine treated with AgNPs at 100 ppm recordedcomplete inhibition of Foc. In addition,significant increase in plant growth parameterswere observed with AgNPs treated plants (Fig.42).

in Kahikuchi, Assam and it was confirmedusing ELISA and RT - PCR. Full lengthgenome sequence of BBrMV of this isolatewas obtained through RNA-SEQ using Nextgeneration sequencing approach in Illuminaplatform. This complete gene was comparedwith three other complete genome is availablein the public domain which showed variationand distinguishable in phylogenic tree. Twenty-five BBrMV isolates were used for the studyon the population structure and diversity basedon VPg gene of the virus. Molecularcharacterization and analysis was performedfor the sequences of the gene. BBrMV wasfound to be seed transmitted and it wasconfirmed by detecting the virus using RT-PCR and also by growing-out test.

Complete genome of cucumber mosaicvirus (CMV) infecting banana of Karnatakawas characterized. Phylogenetic analysis basedon cp gene of CMV revealed that the presentisolate was grouped in the IB subgroup. Twocommon weed species viz., Passif lora foetida

and Commelina benghalensis were found to beinfected with CMV.

Diagnostic techniques for banana viruses

Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification(LAMP) based detection protocol wasdeveloped for CMV and banana streak mysorevirus (BSMYV). It was highly specific, 100times more sensitive than RT-PCR and PCR.LAMP assay developed for detection ofBBTV and BSMYV was also used to detectthe respective viruses in their vectors.

The coat protein (CP) genes of BBrMVand CMV- Trichy isolate were amplified (byRT-PCR), fused (by overlap extension PCRprocedure using linkers to create recombinantproducts of 1557 bp) and inserted into pGEM-T vector and subcloned into a bacterialexpression vector pET 28a+ using a directionalcloning strategy. This fusion protein wasexpressed in a soluble form; however, theprotein is disintegrated into two differentproteins as confirmed by western blot study.

Fig. 42. Effect of Zimmu leaf extract mediated silvernanoparticles (AgNPs) against Foc under pot cultureevaluation. A – Control (Foc alone), B – Control(without Foc), C –dipping in Zimmu silver nanoparticles, D - drenching the plants with Zimmu silvernano particles, E - dipping + drenching.

SEM analysis of Foc colonization in banana

roots

A pot culture experiment on the effect ofsilver nano particles on Foc colonization inbanana root by SEM analysis showed that therewas a structural deformation and inhibition ofmycelial growth of Foc pathogen in the roottissue of Foc - AgNPs treated banana plants.In the Foc alone inoculated plants, completeintra-cellular blocking of the xylem vessel bythe mycelia was observed.

4.4.4 Studies on viral diseases of banana


Molecular characterization of banana viruses

Occurrence of banana bract mosaic virus(BBrMV) in banana cv. Chini Champa (Syn:Mysore, AAB) was recorded for the first time

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Evaluation of banana bunchy top virus

(BBTV) free Hill banana plants derived from

ECS technology

In field evaluation, ECS derived BBTVfree Hill banana plants showed significantdifference in the growth and yield parameterscompared to sucker grown plants. Howeveryield and growth parameters were on par withtissue culture raised plants.

Screening germplasm against banana viruses

Screening of germplasm accessions forresistance against BBTV has been initiated for20 BB and 20 AA accessions under net houseand pot cultures respectively. Thirteengermplasm accessions were found positive forBBrMV in the field genebank of ICAR-NRCB.One of the clumps of a promising clone,Popoulu and two of the hybrid progenies werepositive for BBrMV.

Impact analysis of the use of virus indexed

certified plants at Theni District

A preliminary survey conducted in TheniDistrict showed that certified tissue culturebanana plants outperformed sucker grownplants.

4.4.5 Host-virus interactions in banana:

Molecular mechanisms of resistance and

susceptibility, latency, integration and

episomal expression of EPRV’s

Selection and mass propagation of BSMYV

free plants from mother plants identified in

long term experimental field trial

Ten thousand episomal BSMYV freePoovan plants were produced from plantsidentified from 11 years old long term field trialfor natural spontaneous expression of the virusfrom putative EPRV sequences and an experimenthas been designed to undertake validation ofthe same through AICRP (Fruits).

4.4.6 Molecular approaches to understand

the host-virus-vector- environment

interactions and RNAi for the

management of banana viruses

Development of infectious partial dimer

construct of BBTV and BSMYV genome

Full length clones of BSMYV and BSGFVhave been made and further partial clones needto be cloned in binary vectors for testing theinfectivity. Three components of BBTV cloneswere constructed for infectivity. Infectivityassay using RCA products of BBTVbombarded through Helios gene gun onto 52tissue culture plants were tried, none of themexpressed symptoms even after 6 months.

Transcriptomic analysis of banana dually

infected with BBTV/ BSMYV

Transcriptome analysis of bananainfected with BBTV/ BBTV+BSMYV/ BBTVlatently infected plant and / healthy cv Poovanwas performed and digital gene expression wasdistinguished BBTV infected with that oflatently infected plant.

Transmission studies

Studies on transmission of BBTV bybanana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa in cv. NeyPoovan (AB) showed that transmission rateswere significantly higher at 25°C ± 1 than at20°C ± 1 and 37 °C with correspondingpercentage of humidity in a particular span oftime. This study showed that at extremetemperatures, the rate of transmission ofBBTV into the host is significantly less.

Transgenic development

Two ECS lines were developed for cv.Poovan and Hill banana cv. Virupakshi forgenome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 approachand transgenic generation. Using MVR-RNAiand hairpin-rep (BBTV) constructs, 22 putativetransgenic lines were developed which wereplanted in the insect proof net house.

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44.7 Proteomic analysis of host–BBTV

interaction in banana

CP, HC-Pro, VPg, NIa genes of BBrMVand CAM19, eIF4E(Iso), eIF4E-4, eIF4E-6,PSKI genes were amplified and cloned inpTZ57R/T vector and sequenced. All theBBrMV and plant genes were sub-cloned in baitand prey plasmids, respectively. Seventeencombinations were made to study the viralgene interaction and viral gene interaction withplant genes and co-transformation was carriedout into yeast strain EGY48. Colony–PCR wasdone to know the presence of both theplasmids. Further quantitative â-galactosidaseassay was performed to study the interactionof the two proteins. The interaction studiesrevealed the homodimerization of HC-Pro andthe functional HC-Pro may be a homodimerand VPg interacts with eIF4E with theformation of a translational initiation complexon cellular mRNAs by sequestering thetranslation factor and it also plays an importantrole in Potyvirus replication. rip and mvt genesfrom BBTV were amplified and cloned in pTZvector and sequenced and sub-cloned in yeastvectors. pcna, rbp and sumo conjugating enzymes1

and 2 cloned in pTZ were then sub-cloned inyeast vectors. The clones were confirmedthrough restriction analysis and co-transformedinto yeast strain EGY48.

VPg gene sequences of 25 BBrMV isolatesfrom different regions of Southern India wherethis virus is a major problem were characterizedalong with known BBrMV isolates from otherparts of the world. Sequence identity of VPggene between 29 BBrMV isolates showed arange of nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa)identity of 75-100% and 95-100%, respectively(Fig. 43a & 43b). Phylogenetic analysis basedon nt revealed that except TN1 and TN2, allIndian isolates clustered together. Differentfunctional motifs of VPg gene were identifiedand found conserved. Single recombinationevent was detected using recombinationdetection programme. The codon based

Fig. 43a Graphical representation of pair wise andnucleotide identity (with percentage identity scale) ofVPg gene of 29 BBrMV isolates.

Fig. 43b Graphical representation of pair wise andamino acid (with percentage identity scale) of VPggene of 29 BBrMV isolates.

37


selection analysis revealed that most of thecodons in the VPg gene were under purifyingselection except for the codons at position 46,47, 71, 107, 149,153, 156, 175, 176, and 178which were under positive selection. Gene flowbetween different populations of banana fromIndia was relatively low. This is the first reporton genetic diversity and evolution of VPg geneof BBrMV.

4.4.8 Investigations on Musa nematode’s

diversity, biology, behavior and their

interactions

Survey for banana nematodes

Soil and root samples collected fromAsom and Meghalaya contained root-lesion(Pratylenchus sp.) and root-knot nematodes(Meloidogyne sp.) with an absolute frequencyof 57% and 85% respectively. Samples fromMizoram contained root-lesion, root-knot andspiral nematodes whereas, samples fromManipur and Arunachal Pradesh containedroot-knot nematode. Root samples frombanana grown in Agali, Kerala showed higherpopulation of root-lesion nematode. Spiralnematode (Helicotylenchus sp.) and root-knotnematodes were found associated with Hillbanana and Red banana grown atThadiyankudisai, Tamil Nadu.

Severe infestation of root-knot nematodewas observed in soil and root samples collectedfrom wilt sick fields of cv. Grand Naine inGudalur, Cumbam areas of Theni District,Tamil Nadu.

Penetration behaviour and biology of root-

lesion nematode on susceptible and resistant

genotypes of banana

An experiment on penetration of root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus cof feae on

susceptible cv. Nendran showed that out of 500nematodes inoculated, an average of 158nematodes penetrated the roots, whereas, lessthan ten nematodes entered in resistantgenotype Karthobiumtham. An experiment onthe biology of root-lesion nematode showedthat the reproduction factor (pf/pi) was five-fold higher in susceptible cv. Nendrancompared to resistant genotypeKarthobiumtham.

Studies on interaction between root-lesion

(RLN) and root-knot nematode (RKN) on

cv. Nendran

Interactions between root-lesion and root-knot nematode on cv. Nendran showed thatreproduction of root-knot nematode decreasedin the presence of root-lesion nematode.Moreover, root-lesion nematode dominatedroot-knot nematode as final root population ofroot-lesion nematode was 10 times higher whenboth the nematodes are inoculatedconcomitantly (Fig. 44).

Fig. 44. Interaction between root-lesion nematode,Pratylenchus cof feae and root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita on cv. Grand Naine

Nematode mapping of ICAR–NRCB farm

Soil and root sampling was done on blocksA, B, C, D, K, L, N, P and R. The resultsshowed that block K was found infested withroot-knot nematode.

38


4.5 EXTERNALLY FUNDED

PROJECTS

4.5.1 CRP on Agro-biodiversity (S. Uma,

M. S. Saraswathi and S. Backiyarani)

Morpho-molecular characterization of

banana accessions

About 92 accessions were characterizedfor 30 vegetative and flowering traits and datahave been recorded as per the INBAP / IPGRIDescriptor. The same set of accessions werecharacterized using DArT markers which is arobust and cost effective microarray basedtechnique that offers high multiplexing,independent of sequence information (Jaccoudet al., 2001). The 92 accessions werecharacterized in two sets of 55 and 37accessions respectively. Analysis of the firstset indicated the distinct grouping of wildspecies of Musa acuminata (AA) and M.

balbisiana (BB) away from their hybrids.Members of Rhodochlamys clustered with

M. acuminata indicating genetic closenessamong the sections Eumusa and Rhodochlamys.

Genus Ensete clustered separately and exhibitedits distinctness. Among ABB genotypes,dessert Pisang Awak members and the cookingbananas were grouped separately. (Fig. 45).

Analysis of the second set of 37accessions indicated that grouping was basedon genomic and subgroups. All the Pomemembers grouped together. Likewise all theSilk members grouped together with which theAB members namely Elakkiebale andNendrakunnan joined indicating that either Aor B of the Silk members contributed for theevolution of the AB types. AA and membersof AAA grouped together except forChenkadali which has grouped with Pomesubgroup. Besides grouping of dessert andcooking types of the ABB genomic group intwo different clades, Monthan and Bonthamembers also grouped separately within thesame clade. The plantain types clustered in asingle group. (Fig. 46).

Fig. 45. Dendrogram of DArT markers for 55 Banana Accessions

39


Fig. 46. Dendrogram of DArT markers for 37 Banana Accessions

DBT-QUT Project

4.5.2 Biofortification and development of

disease resistance in Banana

Component I - Biofortification of Indian

commercial varieties with PVA (S. Backyiarani

and S. Uma)

Transformation of cv.Rasthali and Grand

Nine with new construct pBMGF-DC49

Five batches of transformation werecarried out in each of cvs. Rasthali and GrandNaine using pBMGF-DC49 construct. In cv.Rasthali, three batches are in rooting andremaining two batches in germination medium.In cv. Grand Naine, three batches are inselection and remaining two batches ingermination medium (Fig. 47). Transformationwith pBMGF-DC 34 constructs in threebatches in Rasthali and five batches in GrandNaine have been completed. In cv. Rasthali,three batches are in rooting and in Grand Nainetwo batches in rooting and remaining threebatches in germination medium.

Fig. 47. Selection and regeneration of transformedECS of cvs. Rasthali and Grand Naine (pBMGF –DC49)

Fig. 48. View of transformed plants maintained inglass house

40


Each fifty PCR confirmed transgenicplants developed using pBMGF-DC 32 andpBMGF-DC 24 constructs both in cvs.Rasthali and Grand Naine maintained underglass house (Fig. 48) and they are ready forfield evaluation which will be taken up afterthe construction of transgenic net house.

Component-II: Transfer and evaluation of

Indian bananas with iron gene constructs

(M. Mayil Vaganan and I. Ravi)

Hundred transgenic plants each of cvs.Rasthali and Grand Naine produced using theiron gene construct pBMGF-DC-53 carryingOsNAS1 gene are in hardening process and 100plants of each genotype are maintained ingrowth media in bottles and sub-culturedregularly. The presence of selectable markergene nptII and gene of interest OsNAS1 wereconfirmed using PCR. Twenty each of cvs.Grand Naine and Rasthali were analyzed bymultiplex PCR with primers of gene and VirAfor confirming the transformationsimultaneously ruling out Agrobacterium

contamination. A new iron gene constructpBMGF-DC-68 carrying OsNAS2 gene wasreceived QUT, Australia was PCR confirmedwith the gene specific primers. Agrobacterium

culture carrying gene construct wassuccessfully revived, regularly sub-cultured andPCR confirmed before every co-cultivation. Atotal of 35 and 30 co-cultivations wereperformed in cvs. Rasthali and Grand Nainerespectively. Co-cultivated Rasthali and GrandNaine are regularly sub-cultured in respectivegrowth medium related to its growth stage andtill now around fifty plants were produced fromthe earliest co-cultivations.

For the field trials of iron enrichedtransgenic plants of cvs. Grand Naine andRasthali, construction of net-houses with abudget of Rs. 252 lakhs is in progress at ICAR-NRCB Research Farm, Trichy.

Component III - Development of efficient

ECS of cv. Rasthali and providing to Indian

partners (S. Uma, S. Backiyarani and

M. S. Saraswathi )

Supply of cv. Rasthali and cv.Grand Naine

ECS

Efficient ECS of cvs. Rasthali and GrandNaine were provided to the Indian partnersbased on their requirements. A total of 17 and8 ml ECS and 25 and 14 ml of cvs. Rasthaliand Grand Naine were distributed to TNAUand ICAR-IIHR partners respectively. Similarlyaround 36.5 mL and 75.5 mL SCV of cv. GrandNaine and 10 mL and 60.5 mL SCV of cv.Rasthali were supplied to component I and IIof ICAR-NRCB respectively.

Induction of somatic embryogenic callus in

recalcitrant cultivars

Based on the proteomic information ondifferentially expressed proteins ofembryogenic and non embryogenic calli of cvs.Rasthali and Grand Naine, the callus inductionmedia was modified to trigger the genes, whichare involved in somatic embryogenesis. Around9 different media combinations were triedalong with the control medium MA1. Theexperiment was carried out in four bananavarieties with different genome (Grand Naine-AAA, Red Banana- AAA, Monthan- ABB,Karpooravalli- ABB and Ney Poovan- AB).After 5-8 months of incubation in dark,irrespective of the cultivars, high embryogeniccallus (EC) induction was recorded in themodified media as against control (M4 media).In Grand Naine (AAA), increasedconcentration of IAA recorded highest ECinduction of 12.14 % while the same genomeRed Banana (AAA) showed maximum ECinduction of 9.48% in Kinetin enrichedmedium. Similarly, though both cvs. Monthanand Karpooravalli belongs to ABB genome,maximum EC induction of 4.27% wasobserved in tryptophan enriched medium and8.67% calli in calcium chloride supplemented

41


Fig. 49. Effect of modified MA1 media in induction of somatic embryogenic callus in recalcitrant cultivars

Fig. 50. EC from cv.Ney Poovan :A, B, D,E,F,H –ECwith proembryos. C- Test media with Ney PoovanEC.

medium in cvs. Monthan and Karpooravallirespectively. Whereas tryptophan enrichedmedium induced high embryogenic callus inAB genome of cv. Ney Poovan (Fig. 49). Theseresults revealed that EC induction in bananais not only genome dependent but also cultivardependent (Fig. 50).

Improving the germination efficiency of

somatic embryos in cvs. Grand Naine and

Rasthali

To improve the germination efficiency ofsomatic embryos of cvs. Grand Naine andRasthali, the media composition was modifiedbased on information of differential expressedproteins of germinating and non germinatingsomatic embryos of these cultivars. A totalof 11 different compositions were tried in M4media (both in liquid and solid states). Aftertransferring the somatic embryos in thesemedia composition in two different statesnamely solid and liquid, they were exposed to40C for different time durations namely 0 hr,12 hrs and 24 hrs. In general, it was observedthat somatic embryos treated at 40C for 24 hrsand modified M4 liquid medium showed bettergermination irrespective of cultivars. But upto92% germination was observed in cv. Grand

42


Naine in GA3 enriched medium and 88%germination was recorded in cv. Rasthali in thesame GA3 enriched medium while in solid MSmedium enriched with NAA + GA3 only 50%and 55% of germination was observed in cvs.Grand Naine and cv.Rasthali respectively (Fig.51).

The initial response like bulging andgreening of somatic embryos was much fasterin liquid medium when compared to solidmedium. In liquid medium, it takes only fivedays to greening of somatic embryos while insolid medium it takes around 7-9 days to attaingreening and germination percentage was also

Fig. 51. Somatic embryos matured in GT3 liquidmedium (modification- GA3 0.5mg/L)

Fig. 52. Comparison of germination efficiency of coldtreated somatic embryos in modified (enriched GA3)liquid and solid M4 medium in medium

more in liquid medium (85%) compared withsolid medium (55%) (Fig. 52). But in liquidmedium the chances of contamination is highwhen compared to solid medium. Thissuggested that germinated somatic embryosshould not be maintained in liquid medium forlonger period of days and should be transferredto solid medium to avoid contamination.

DAE Project

4.5.3 Development of non-chimeral

mutants with durable resistance to

Fusarium wilt in Rasthali (AAB) through

induced mutagenesis (M. S. Saraswathi,

S. Uma, S. Backiyarani and R. Thangavelu)

Using the embryogenic cell suspension,the lethal dose LD50 has been determined forthe chemical mutagen, DES based on freshweight gain (FWG), SCV and regenerationefficiency. Determination of LD50 for SodiumAzide is in progress. With respect to physicalmutagen, the ECS was irradiated at differentdoses ranging from 5 to 50 Gy using Co60 sourceand the LD50 based on fresh weight gain wasdetermined as 35Gy.

The secondary hardened plants derivedfrom various mutagens were inoculated with

Fig.53. Fusarium wilt resistant mutants of cv. Rasthaliidentified under pot culture conditions. N.C –Negative control; P.C – Positive Control; 1 to 15 –Resistant lines

43


the sand maize meal inoculum of Foc race(VCG 0124/5) at the rate of 30 g per pot (12 x109 cfu/ml). After three months of pathogeninoculation, the morphological data on plantheight, pseudostem girth, number of leaves,leaf area, root mass and the disease severitywere recorded. The disease severity wasestimated by observing external and internalsymptoms. The plants were uprooted and thecorm was observed for vascular discolorationand a scale of 0-5 was adopted for diseasescoring. Among the five hundred mutatedplants derived from two different doses ofEMS, 16 plants (15-EMS -0.1% and 1- EMS -0.2%) were found to be resistant with score 0and the resistant lines were further reinitiatedfor mass multiplication. They are under variousstages of multiplication (Fig. 53).

DBT-ATL Project

4.5.4 Lab accreditation facility for virus

indexing and genetic fidelity testing of

tissue culture plants - Genetic fidelity

component (M. S. Saraswathi)

A total of 1250 batches of tissue cultureplants at secondary hardening stage (GrandNaine, Williams, Robusta, Ney Poovan, Redbanana, Quintal Nendran etc.) have been testedfor their genetic fidelity using SSR and ISSRmarkers and reports issued.

ICAR-Extramural Project

4.5.5 Harnessing the potential of Musa

species in ornamental and leaf industries

and screening for better edible flower and

pseudostem (A. Thirugnanavel, M. S. Saraswathi

and S. Uma)

Survey, collection and characterization

Systematic surveys were conducted inTamil Nadu, Kerala, Meghalaya, ArunachalPradesh and Manipur to identify and collect

Fig. 54. Ornamental banana species

44


the wild bananas with ornamental potential.Ensete glaucum, Musa velutina, M. laterita,

M. rosacea, M. aurantiaca, and intersectionalhybrids of M. velutina are spread acrossNortheast India particularly ArunachalPradesh. M. velutina, M. rosacea and M. velutina

hybrids were collected from ArunachalPradesh; E. glaucum was collected from Garohills, Meghalaya; M. rubra was collected fromICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru; and M. siamensis,M. beccari, and M. coccinea were collected fromprivate nurseries in Trivandrum, Kerala. (Fig.54). The floral biology of M. siamensis,M. laterita and M. ornata has been documented.Maximum pollen out put per anther wasobserved in M. ornata (58988.1) followed byMusa siamensis (41428.5) and M. laterita

(6845.2). Among the three species, M. ornata

registered highest pollen viability (94.82 %)and pollen germination (84.48 %) (Fig. 55 &56).

Screening of banana germplasm for better

edible flower types

36 banana germplasm have been screenedfor flower quality. The moisture content, drymatter content, phenols, flavonoids and tanninshave been estimated. The samples have beenprepared and are ready for nutrient profiling.

PPV & FRA project

4.5.6 Framing crop specific DUS

guidelines for banana (Musa spp.) (A.

Thirugnanavel, S. Uma, S. Backiyarani and

M. S. Saraswathi)

Awareness programs in Northeast India

Northeast India is rich in banana geneticdiversity. Bhim Kol, Athi Kol, Jati Kol, AmritSagar, Sabri, etc. are the popular cultivars grownin this region. Besides, M. laterita, M. velutina

and its intersectional hybrids, M. cheesmani,

M. itinerans, M. aurantiaca , M. f lavif lora,

M. balbisiana types, M. acuminata wild typesare spread across the Northeast region.However, no steps have been taken towardsthe registration of these vast germplasm underPPV&FRA. ICAR NRCB along with KVKshave initiated their registration process. Fourawareness programmes have been conductedat Dudhnoi, Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Roing andNamsai, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ukhrul,Manipur. The farmers, Agricultural andHorticultural State Dept staffs, and KVK staffswere sensitized on the role of PPV& FRA andimportance of varietal registration with them.

ICAR–Extramural project

4.5.7 A new vision for quality planting

material (QPM) Production system in

India (S.Uma, M.S.Saraswathi and S.Backiyarani)

Development of bioreactor prototypes for

mass multiplication of ECS

Embryogenic calli generated from maleinflorescences were transferred to liquid

Fig. 55. Hybrid seeds of ornamental Musa spp.

Fig. 56. In vitro raised ornamental hybrids

45


medium using different sizes of conical flaskfor cell growth optimization in a large scale.Designed and fabricated three different typesof vessels such as balloon type, bubble columnballoon type and bubble column type for massmultiplication of ECS. However only bubblecolumn balloon type vessel showed significantresults in cv. Rasthali (108ml SCV) and GrandNaine (92 ml SCV) within 21 days.

Somatic Embryo regeneration and

maturation in Temporary Immersion

bioreactor

Designed and fabricated a temporaryimmersion bioreactor for regeneration andmaturation of somatic embryos. ECS (cv.Rasthali and Grand Naine - 2 ml SCV) grownin bubble column balloon type bioreactorharvested on 12th day and used for regenerationand maturation of somatic embryos intemporary immersion bioreactor using M3media. The conversion of embryogenic cellsinto somatic embryos was successful in bothvarieties cv. Rasthali (20%) and Grand Naine(99%).

Germination of Somatic Embryos in

Temporary Immersion bioreactor

Matured somatic embryos (about 2g)were transferred to temporary immersionvessels for germination of plantlets using MA4media with an immersion frequency of 2 minevery 6 h. The conversion of somatic embryosinto plantlets is successful in Grand Naine(96%). Approximately 45000 plantlets couldbe derived from 1ml of ECS.

Rooting and simultaneous hardening

Plantlets of 2.0 cm height were transferredto coir dust containing 1/10, 1/2, and fullstrength MA4, MS and All 19 mediarespectively without sucrose. All the plantswere incubated at high humidity (90%), 25 ±2°C under a 16/8-h light/dark photoperiodusing white-light LED lamps. No mortality wasobserved and there was a significant response

to rooting (99%) within 14 days in all the threemedia tested (Fig. 57).

ICAR Project

4.5.8 Assessment of post harvest losses

in banana (K. N. Shiva)

In Tamil Nadu, four districts viz., Theni(more than 70% cultivated area) and Erode(less than 70%) for Grand Naine(internationally popular variety); Trichy (morethan 70%) and Tuticorin (less than 70%) forPoovan (local commercial variety) wereidentified based on primary and secondary dataprovided by State Department of Horticulture(DDH and ADH offices of respective districtsand Taluks). Similarly two taluks in eachdistrict having five villages and five orchardsin each village have been selected for the study.

Survey and observation on post harvest losses

in ‘Grand Naine’ banana

In the present study, a survey conductedin Theni and Erode districts variety GrandNaine, to estimate the post harvest losses inbanana at various levels viz., field level,transport level, assembly/wholesale market,storage and ripening level. Results showed thatlosses are 3.45 % and 4.50 % at Theni andErode district respectively, during field level.The losses during transport level are 1.12 %and 3.04 % at Theni and Erode Districtsrespectively. At Assembly market levelestimated losses are 3.57 % and 3.79 % atTheni and Erode Districts respectively.However, storage and ripening level loss were5.62 % and 1.24 % at Theni and Erode Districtsrespectively. Finally losses in retail market levelare 3.20 % and 6.55 % at Theni and ErodeDistricts respectively.

Survey and observation on post harvest losses

in ‘Poovan’ banana

Surveys were conducted in Trichy andTuticorin districts at various levels from fieldlevel to storage and ripening level to assess the

46


Fig. 57. High throughput system for large scale production of banana plantlets using bioreactors (a) Massmultiplication of embryogenic cell suspension in bubble column balloon type bioreactor, (b) Regeneration andmaturation of somatic embryos in temporary immersion bioreactor, (c) Germination of somatic embryos intemporary immersion bioreactor, (d) Development of plantlets in plate type disposable temporary immersionbioreactor, (e) Rooting and simultaneous hardening in sterile coir dust.

47


post harvest losses in banana var. Poovan. Thelosses in Trichy and Tuticorin districts werereported as 1.42 % and 2.40 % at field levelrespectively. While losses during transport levelwere 3.48 % and 1.77 % at Trichy andTuticorin district, respectively. At Assemblymarket level estimated losses were 2.58 % and2.67 % at Trichy and Tuticorin districtrespectively. However, storage and ripeninglevel loss was 3.15 % and 3.11 % at Trichy andTuticorin district respectively. Losses recordedat retail market level were 4.18% and 4.51%at Trichy and Tuticorin Districts respectively.

Post harvest losses in banana under AICRP-

Fruits

As a lead center, compiled the surveyscarried out by the four different centers namely,Bengaluru, Jalgaon, Kannara, Kovvur includingTrichy (ICAR-NRCB). Results showed thatoverall post harvest losses of banana recordedwere 18.62, 31.94, 16.84, 34.40 and 12.13%at Kannara, Kovvur, Trichy, Jalgaon andBengaluru centers, respectively. Among thecenters, Bengaluru registered the lowest postharvest loss of 12.13%, while Jalgaon recordedwith the highest value of post harvest lossesof 34.40 %.


4.5.9 Studies on active packaging on

extending the shelf-life of banana

(K. N. Shiva)

Among the various treatmentcombinations (active packing materials viz.,ethylene absorber, O2 remover, moistureremover, etc.) employed in ‘Udhayam’bananas, fruits harvested with 85% maturityand treated with improved postharvesttreatments followed by packing in polybag andkept at room temperature resulted in shelf lifeof 23 days when compared to control (withouttreatment + without poly bag + roomtemperature) recording 14 days shelf-life.

However, the treatment combinations under13.5°C cold storage extended the shelf life upto102 days, compared to absolute control(8 days).

Contract Research Project

4.5.10 Sea6 Energy Ltd., Bengaluru

(I. Ravi)

A contract project was conducted toevaluate the Sea6-biostimulant formulations.It is natural product from sea plant. There were11 treatments (different formulations of seaweeds along with their competitor productASN-1) were imposed to evaluate the effecton its growth and yield. In the result LBS6formulation given higher yield (27%) than theirnon-sprayed treatment (control).

4.5.11 CRP on borers in network mode

(B. Padmanaban)

Survey in search of natural enemies of banana

weevils

Survey in search of natural enemies ofbanana weevils resulted in the collection ofdermapterans and a reduvid bug. Naturalenemies and general predators were collectedduring surveys: Eubrellia sp. (Family:Anisolabididae: Dermoptera); Oriental spinyorb-weaver, Gasteracantha geminata (F.)(Araneae:); Sybra sp. (Cermbycidae:Coleoptera) and entomopathogenic fungi,Metarrhizum anisopliae.


4.5.12 On-site diagnostics for insect pests

of selected horticulture crops to enable

timely pest management decision making

(J. Poorani)

Surveys were conducted to collect anddocument insect pests of banana, mango,citrus, and pomegranate from different parts

48


of South India. Several poorly known insectpests of mango such as mango shoot miner,inflorescence feeding caterpillars, quarantinepests like Citripestis eutraphera, etc. werecollected and specimens were curated.Parasitoids and predators of some pests of fruitcrops such as sapota, citrus and mango weredocumented for the first time. A rare pest ofmango, the shoot miner, Spulerina isonoma

(Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was recorded inNRCB farm and a new species of braconid wasdocumented on it. Parasitoids of citrusbagworms were documented.

The mango fruit borer, Citripestis eutraphera

(Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), aquarantine pest recently reported from India,was found to infest mango fruits at NRCB farmand its diagnostic characters including malegenitalia were documented. A new species ofStethorus Weise and Stethorus tetranychi Kapur(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were recorded aseffective natural enemies of the citrus hindumite, Schizotetranychus hindustanicus (Hirst)(Acari: Tetranychidae) for the first time. Thenew species of Stethorus was described andillustrated. Visuals of the general appearanceof several insect pests of banana, citrus,mango, pomegranate and sapota, theirimmature stages and diagnostic characters weregenerated for the development ofidentification aids. Field damage symptoms ofpests of the selected fruit crops were alsogenerated for developing farmer-friendly pestdiagnostic tools. A prototype Android app oninsect pests of banana, their diagnosis andmanagement was prepared. It will be deployedin Google Play Store shortly.

ICAR project

4.5.13 Outreach project on Phytophthora,

Ralstonia and Fusarium wilt diseases of

horticultural and agricultural crops

(R. Thangavelu)

Effect of Trichoderma asperellum fungal extract

mediated silver nano particles against

Fusarium wilt disease (VCG 0124 of race 1

infecting Cavendish banana)

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) fromTrichoderma asperellum fungal extract which wasfound effective against Foc were synthesizedand confirmed by UV-Vis absorptionspectroscopy at 420 nm; Fourier transforminfra red spectroscopy; Dynamic lightscattering and scanning electron microscope.These measurements indicated thatextracellular biosynthesis of AgNPs usingTrichoderma asperellum produced AgNPs withthe diameters of 10-15 nm. The study on thein vitro efficacy showed that T. asperellum

AgNps at 100 ppm concentration hadinhibited both mycelial growth and sporegermination of Fusarium oxysporum.f.sp.cubense. In a pot culture evaluation, the soildrenching of T. asperellum culture filtratemediated silver nano particles at 100 ppmconc. recorded suppression of Fusarium wiltdisease with an internal score of 1.0 ascompared to control plants (score 6.0). Inaddition, this AgNPs enhanced the plantgrowth parameters like plant height (43%),girth (70%), total number of leaves (166%) androots (121%) as compared to Foc aloneinoculated control plants.

Effect of zimmu principle compound 2

mediated silver nanoparticles against Foc

Synthesis and characterization

The PC2 mediated silver nanoparticleswere synthesized by following five differentmethods viz., using autoclave, aater bath, UV-irradiation, microwave oven and directsunlight. Among these, autoclave method wasfound to be the best as it was fast and increasedthe stability of nanoparticle whose Zetapotential (1.725e-002) was very low whencompared to other methods and also useful forlarge scale production. The fabrication of silvernanoparticles was confirmed by UV-Visspectra, FTIR and DLS methods.

49


In vitro and in vivo evaluation against Foc

The PC2 mediated AgNPs when testedat 150 ppm concentration against Foc pathogenby spore germination assay indicated completeinhibition of spore germination of Foc pathogenof both race 4 and race 1 infecting Cavendishbananas. Further, the pot culture evaluation ofPC2 fabricated Silver nanoparticles (AgNps)at different concentration viz., 50ppm,100ppm, 150ppm under pot culture conditionin cv. Grand Naine recorded an internal wiltdisease score of 2.0 at 150ppm concentrationand the wilt disease of 6.0 score in all othertreatments like Zimmu 50%, AgNO3 alone,PC2 compound alone and Foc inoculatedcontrol plants.

Differential gene expression study due to the

interaction of Foc (Tropical Race 4) with

Trichoderma asperellum (Prr2) in banana cv.

Grand Naine

Differential gene expression study due tothe interaction of Foc (Tropical Race 4) withTrichoderma asperellum (Prr2) was carried outin banana plants cv. Grand Naine. The cDNAsfrom the roots of banana cv. Grand Naineinfected by Foc (Race 4) were used as driverand cDNAs from Foc + T. asperellum inoculatedbanana plants were used as the tester and thesuppression subtractive hybridization (SSH)was done proceeded. After hybridization, theanalysis of PCR product revealed that the sizeof the subtracted cDNA ranged from 220 to1000 bp whereas the unsubtracted cDNAranged from 450 to 800 bp. A total of about850 clones were obtained and the respectiveplasmid DNA is being isolated.

ICAR-Extramural project

4.5.14 Survey, characterization and

management of a most virulent strain of

Foc (TR4) infecting banana in India

(R. Thangavelu and S. Backiyarani )

Characterization of Foc isolates obtained

from Bihar by VCG and molecular methods

The characterization of 15 Foc isolatesisolated from 15 different samples of Foc

infected banana plants collected from differentbanana regions of Bihar by VCG and molecularmethods using race specific molecular markershowed that 14 out of 16 Foc obtained fromcvs. Robusta, Grand Naine and Kothia belongto VCG 01213/16 of race 4 and remaining onesample from Muthia (ABB) belong to VCG01220 of race 1/race 4.

Designing of specific molecular marker for

Foc race 4 and race 1 infecting Cavendish

banana

While screening Foc isolates of Bihar,,India using the molecular marker particularlyTR4 specific primer (Foc TR4F& Foc-TR4R),resulted in the amplification of bands fromVCG 0120/01211 and hence effords are inprocess to design our own molecular markerspecific to TR4 using RAPD analysis.

For the designing of specific marker forFoc (race 4 infecting Cavendish bananas), theDNA isolated from the Foc isolates of differentVCGs VCG0124 infecting Cavendish bananas,VCG 01213/16, 0125, 0126, 0128, 0129,01216, 01217 and 0120/01211 were screenedusing 40 different RAPD primers. Among theseprimers, OPC and OPD generated uniqueamplicons for TR4 of Bihar and VCG 0124 ofrace1 infecting Cavendish banana. Theseunique amplicons were excised from the gel,cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and therespective plasmid DNA obtained from thetransformed colonies was sent for sequencing.From the sequences obtained, primers weredesigned using Prime 3 software and theprimers synthesized are being evaluated fortheir specificity to Foc -TR4.

Evaluation of different fungicides against Foc-

VCG 01213/16 under in vitro conditions

The in vitro evaluation of five differentfungicides viz., Nativo (Tebuconazole 50% +

50


Trifloxystrobin 25% WG), Tilt (Propiconazole25% EC), Carbendazim, Roko 70 wp(Thiophanate methyl 70% wp) and Score(Difenoconazole 25% EC) at variousconcentrations (1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.1 and 0.05%)against TR4 revealed that the fungicideCarbendazim alone recorded completeinhibition of mycelial growth of Foc at allconcentrations tested.

DBT Project

4.5.15 Twinning project on Fusarium wilt

disease management (R. Thangavelu and

S. Backiyarani )

Genetic diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.

cubense isolates (Foc) of Assam, India by Inter

Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) analysis

Isolation and characterization of Foc isolates

of Mizoram and Assam

A total of 35 Foc isolates were isolatedfrom the Fusarium wilt infected vascular

Fig. 58. ISSR finger printing of Foc isolates of different cultivars of banana and VCGs generated by (GTG)Primer

strands of six different cultivars of banana(Banria, Balhlakual, Balhlathur, Kawrmawt,Lawngbalhla and Malbhog) which belong todifferent genomic groups (AAB,AAA andABB) grown in 19 different regions ofMizoram and Assam (Selesih, Neihbawih,Lungdai, Serkhan, Zanlawn, Kawnpui, Bualpui,Khamrang, Dialdawk, Rawpuichhip,Kanghmun, Lungchangkam, Lawngtlai,Kawlchaw, Saiha, Phuloguri, Singra,MadangBakrapara and DhenuBanga). Thegenomic DNA isolated from all these 35 Foc

isolates were subjected to genetic diversityanalysis using five different ISSR primers viz.,(GAC)5, (GTG)5, (ACC)6, CCA(TG)5TG and(AC)8YG. The ISSR amplification produced04–12 bands and out of which the number ofpolymorphic bands produced were 2–10. Thesize of PCR fragments generated ranged from100 to 5000 bp (Fig. 58).

The data analysis were performed usingNTSYS PC 2.0 software and the data set ofisolates and reproducible bands were used tocalculate Jaccard’s co-efficient and the matrices

51


of similarity co-efficient were subjected tounweighted pair group method with arithmeticmean (UPGMA) to generate a dendrogram.In order to assess the genetic relatednessbetween the Foc isolates of banana, thedistance matrix was calculated based on thefingerprints obtained and it ranged from 0.11to 1.00. The dendrogram consisted of twomajor clusters A and B (Fig. 59). The cluster‘‘A’’ contains only six Foc isolates and whereasthe cluster ‘‘B’’ contained all the remaining 29Foc isolates which were isolated from bananabelong to different genomic groups AAB,AAA and ABB. The results of the studyclearly indicated that there is an existence ofwide genetic diversity among the Foc isolatesobtained particularly from Mizoram therebyproving the polyphyletic nature of the Foc

isolates. However, the ISSR analysis carried outcould not differentiate the Foc isolates basedon the cultivars/genomic status orgeographical origin.

Fig. 59. Dendrogram based on ISSR analysis for 35 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense by UPGMAcluster analysis

DBT Project

4.5.16 Development of bio-pesticide

formulation for reducing post harvest

losses and for achieving export quality and

increased shelf life of banana fruits

(R. Thangavelu)

In vivo evaluation of zimmu leaf extract and

its principle compound (PC1) in banana cv.

Grand Naine under packing house condition

at 13.5°C

The evaluation of zimmu leaf extract andits principle compound (PC1) for themanagement of postharvest diseases andextension of shelf-life of banana, in packinghouse condition (13.5 °C) at Cumbum, Thenidistrict of Tamil Nadu revealed that bananahands of 46, 48, 50 calliper size treated withzimmu leaf extract (50%) and PC1 (0.1%)completely inhibited the emergence of

52


Fig. 60. Banana hands at of 50 calliper size treated with A) Standard control (carbendazim 500 ppm), B) Principlecompound-1 at 0.1% conc.and C) Zimmu leaf extract (50%).

postharvest diseases. The results also indicatedthat banana hands treated with the fungicidecarbendazim (standard control) recorded acrown rot disease score of 2.0 (0-5 scale).Moreover, these treatments also extended theshelf-life of banana hands of 46, 48, 50 callipersize upto 78 days with PC1 recording amaximum of 78 days followed by zimmu leafextract (67 days) as compared to standardcontrol (57 days). The banana hands of 52calliper size, treated with zimmu leaf extractand PC1 extended the shelf-life of banana upto 58 and 43 days respectively as compared tostandard control (37 days) (Fig. 60).

4.5.17 CRP-on vaccines and diagnostics

(R. Selvarajan and C. Anuradha)

Development of Diagnostics for viruses of

banana

Bacterially expressed viral coat proteinhas been purified for raising polyclonalantiserum for CMV. Polyclonal antiserum forBBrMV was produced freshly for developingDIPSTICK (Lateral flow immuno-assay).Antigen and antisera dilution werestandardized for newly produced polyclonalantiserum of BBrMV. The titre of polyclonalantiserum raised against BBrMV was assessedand found that the titre was 1:8000 for theantiserum obtained from Rabbit B. A protocol

has been standardized for conjugating the goldnano-particles with IgG of BBrMV fordeveloping lateral flow assay (immuno-strip ordipstick). Dipstick has been prepared to detectthe virus from expressed proteins and furtherstandardization is required for detection ofBBrMV from the infected sap. Real timeLAMP for detection of BBTV and CMV hasbeen standardized. Multiplex PCR-/RT-PCRdeveloped to detect four virusessimultaneously were validated by testing 100field collected samples.

DBT-ATL Project

4.5.18 National certification system for

tissue culture raised plants for virus

indexing / virus indexing -contract services

(R. Selvarajan)

Mother cultures of Tissue culture bananaplant received from twenty-four DBTrecognized TC production units (TCPU) weretested for banana viruses under contract serviceas well as DBT-ATL scheme. Totally 17335samples were tested for the presence of fourviruses. This year certificate of quality wasissued for 89.54 million TC plants. Thesecertificates were issued after testing geneticfidelity for TC raised plants (by othercomponent of the project) of viruses indexedstock cultures.

53


5. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSED AND TRANSFERRED

5.1 Training

About 2400 visitors comprising bananafarmers/ entrepreneurs/ horticultural/agricultural officers/ college students visitedICAR - NRCB and they were briefed about

improved production, protection technology,postharvest management and value additionof banana. Under out reach programmes,ICAR-NRCB scientists have trained more than6000 farmers across the country.

5.2 Radio talks through All India Radio, Tiruchirappalli

Dr. V. Kumar Bunch and mat management in banana (Tamil) 12 June, 2016

Dr. K. J. Jeyabaskaran Nutrient management in banana (Tamil) 7 August, 2016

Dr. P. Giribabu Nematode management in banana (Tamil) 7 October, 2016

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar Banana flour and its uses (Tamil) 4 November, 2016

Date of

broadcast

Name of the

ScientistTopic

5.3 Television talks

Dr. K.N. Shiva Post-harvest technologies for domestic and 28 April, 2016export markets DD - Telugu

Date of telecast

& TV channel

Name of the

ScientistTopic

5.4 Exhibitions conducted / participated

Name of the Events Organizer / Venue Date

Sixth SICCI AGRI SICCI and TNAU, Coimbatore, 11 - 12 June, 2016SUMMIT & EXPO 2016 Tamil Nadu at PGP College of

Agri. Sciences, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

Improved cultivation and ICAR – NRCB, Tamil Nadu at 24 June, 2016value addition practices in B.R. Hills, Karnatakabanana (Under TSP)

Seminar on Banana Tamil Nadu State Direc. Hort. & 25 June, 2016cultivation and cold storage Plantn. Crops Alukkuli, Erode Dist.,

Tamil Nadu

PMBFY awareness program ICAR - KVK, Saraswathi Foundation, 15 July, 2016& Farmers Fair Karur, Tamil Nadu

Pradhan Mantri Fasal ICAR - KVK, Karur, Tamil Nadu 16 July, 2016Bhima Yojana andFarmers’ Fair

ICAR – NRCB foundation ICAR – NRCB, Tiruchirapalli, 21 August, 2016day and Kisan Mela Tamil Nadu

54


Name of the Events Organizer / Venue Date

ICAR – SBI foundation ICAR – SBI, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 26 - 27 August, 2016

Day and Kisan Mela

Seminar on ‘Banana ICAR – NRCB, T.N. at Kalluvizhai, 30 August, 2016

cultivation techniques’ Nagarcoil Dist., Tamil Nadu

Ulzhavar Kalangium 2016 - VIT, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 3 - 4 September, 2016

Seminar cum Grand

Agri Expo’.

Banana Seminar Dept. of Horticulture under NHM at 17 September, 2016

Naduveeran pattu village,

Cuddalore Dist., Tamil Nadu

National conference on ICAR - CTCRI & Indian Society 20 - 22 October, 2016

tropical tuber crops for the for Root Crops (ISRC) at ICAR -

sustenance and welfare of CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

tribal communities

(NCTTC-2016)

First International Congress NASC Complex, New Delhi 6 – 9 November, 2016

on Agro-biodiversity -

Science, Technology,

Policy and Partnership

Banana farmers’ meet, ICAR - NRCB & ICAR - IIOPR at 16 November, 2016

under Tribal Sub-Plan ICAR -IIOPR, Palode,

Program Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

International workshop on Dept. of Agriculture Development 2 December, 2016

agro-processing and value & Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of Kerala,

addition VAIGA - 2016 at Kanakakkunnu

Palace, Trivandrum, Kerala

Rabi Campaign and ICAR - NRCB and KVK, Sirugamani, 5 December, 2016

World Soil Health Day TNAU at KVK, Sirugamani,

TNAU, Tamil Nadu

Centenary Agri Expo cum ICAR - CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala 10 - 13 December, 2016

Kisan Mela-2016

Horticulture Fair UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka 17 - 19 December, 2016

(Totagarike Mela) - 2016

Regional Horticultural ICAR - IIHR, Bengaluru, Karnataka 15 - 19 January, 2017

Fair – ‘Horticulture for

Rural and Urban Prosperity’

Krishi Unnati Mela, 2017 ICAR - IARI, New Delhi 15 – 17 March, 2017

55


6. EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Student Name Degree Project title Chairperson

Mr. S. Vinoth B.Tech., Identification of Phytochemicals Dr. B. Padmanaban

(Biotechnology) from Banana true stem volatiles

of cultivars of Grand Naine and

Nendran

Ms. S. Judy B.Tech., Proteomic investigation of Dr. B. Padmanaban

(Biotechnology) antenna of Banana stem weevil,

Odoiporus longicollis

Ms. K. Abitha B.Tech., Isolation of entomopathogenic Dr. B. Padmanaban

(Biotechnology) fungi from Musa germplasm for

molecular identification

Ms. L. Madhumathi B.Tech., Cloning, sequencing and Dr. R. Selvarajan

(Biotechnology) bioinformatic analysis of CI,

Nia and VPg genes of Banana

Bract Mosaic Virus (BBrMV)

isolate

Ms. Rachel M.Tech., Banana Bunchy Top Virus: Dr. R. Selvarajan

Stepheena Samuel (Biotechnology) Standardisation of protocol for

infectivity assay using multiple

genomic segments of the virus

by Particle Bombardment

Ms. G. Nithya, M.Sc., Molecular characterization of Dr. R. Selvarajan

(Microbiology) an isolate of Cucumber Mosaic

Virus (CMV) infecting banana

6.1 Students guided

6.2 Trainings

6.2.1. On-Campus Training

Title of the Training Program Course Date

Co-ordinator(s)

Banana fig Dr. K.N. Shiva 3 - 4 May, 2016

‘Banana Tissue culture’ to M/s. Madappally Dr. M. S. Saraswathi 21 - 24 June, 2016

Service Co - Operative Bank Ltd.,

Kottayam, Kerala

Post-harvest handling, packing, storage and Dr. K.N. Shiva 12 - 14 July, 2016

ripening in banana for domestic and

export markets

Banana flower Pickle (thokku) Dr. K.N. Shiva 21 - 22 July, 2016

56



Co-ordinator(s)

Advances in Integrated nutrient Dr. V. Kumar & 28 – 30 July, 2016

management (INM) and Integrated pests Dr. J. Poorani

and diseases management (IPDM) in

bananas and plantain

Banana chips and banana flour based Dr. K. N. Shiva 14 - 15 September, 2016

baby food

Banana fig Dr. K. N. Shiva 24 - 25 October, 2016

‘Hi-tech banana cultivation for enhancing Dr. V. Kumar & 13 - 15 December, 2016

the production and productivity of quality Dr. S. Uma

bananas’ for the Officials of Mahindra &

Mahindra Agri. Business Pvt. Limited,

Maharashtra

‘Hi-tech banana cultivation for enhancing Dr. V. Kumar & 13 - 14 March 2017

the production and productivity of quality Dr. S. Uma

bananas’ for the officials of Vegetable and

Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK),

Kochi, Kerala

6.2.2. Off-Campus Training


Co-ordinator(s)

Postharvest management and value addition Dr. P. Suresh Kumar 24 June, 2016

in banana at BR Hills, Karnataka

“Improved Production Technologies in Dr. V. Kumar 2 July, 2016

Banana” to the banana farmers in Bhivani,

Haryana

‘Hi-tech banana cultivation to the tribal Dr. V. Kumar & 26 July, 2016

farmers’ & ‘Pre & postharvest management Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

in Banana’ under TSP at BR Hills, Karnataka

Improved cultivation of banana at Dr. V. Kumar 16 August, 2016

Pattukottai, Thanjavur Dist. &

Gandarvakottai, Pudukottai Dist.,

Tamil Nadu

One day training on “Improved Cultivation Dr. V. Kumar & 18 October, 2016

Techniques and Value Addition in Banana’ Dr. K. N. Shiva

and distribution of inputs / machineries to

tribal farmers / women of Kanyakumari at

TNAU-HRS, Pechipparai, Tamil Nadu

One day awareness training on ‘Good Dr. V. Kumar 31 October, 2016

agricultural practices (GAP) in cultivation of

Nendran’ at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

57



Co-ordinator(s)

One day training cum demonstration on Dr. V. Kumar & 16 November, 2016

‘Cultivation Techniques and Value Addition Dr. K. N. Shiva

in Banana’ at Palode, Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala

One day training on “Cultivation Dr. V. Kumar & 25 November, 2016

Techniques and Value Addition in Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

Banana” & ‘Banana Fibre Extraction

from Pseudostem’; Demonstration of

equipments to the tribal farmers / women at

BR Hills, Chamrajanagara District,

Karnataka under TSP

‘Crop specific GAP, package of practices Dr. V. Kumar 29 November, 2016

and good hygienic practices in banana’

at one day awareness training on ‘Cluster

development activity’ at Theni, Tamil Nadu.

Training on ‘Improved Production Dr. S. Uma 19 February, 2017

Technologies’ for SHGs / farmers at Dudhnoi,

Meghalaya

Training on ‘Improved Production Dr. V. Kumar & 20, 22 & 23

Technologies for Enhancing Productivity Dr. S. Uma February, 2017

and Profitability of Bananas’ and distribution

of inputs to the farmers / SHGs at Tura,

Meghalaya; Agartala and Khowai, Tripura

under NEH plan

‘Hi-tech Cultivation, Processing and Value Dr. B. Padmanaban 24 March, 2017

Addition in Banana’ at KVK, Roing, Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

Arunachal Pradesh to 70 farmers & Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

under NEH plan

‘Improved Scientific Cultivation and Value Dr. B. Padmanaban 25 March, 2017

Addition in Banana’ at KVK, Namsai, Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh to 85 farmers & Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

under NEH plan

‘Improved Scientific Cultivation and Value Dr. B. Padmanaban 28 March, 2017

Addition in Banana’ at KVK, Ukrul, Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

Manipur to 60 farmers under NEH plan & Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

58


7. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

7.1 Awards

7.2 Recognitions

Authors Award details

Dr. R. Selvarajan Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences (FNABS) at

9th NABS’ National Conference on New Biological Researches:

Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Development held at

Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai on 11-12 August, 2016

Mr. K. Arun Best presentation Award for the paper ‘Expression profile of

Dr. S. Uma candidate genes in seed setting and non seed setting genotypes of

Dr. S. Backiyarani banana’ at ‘National Conference on Fruit Breeding in Tropics and

Dr. M.S. Saraswathi subtropics - An Indian Perspective’ held at ICAR - Indian

Mr. A.S. Saravanakumar Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru from 27 - 29 April,

2016

Dr. S. Backiyarani Consolation Award for the poster titled ‘Development of A and B

Dr. S. Uma genome specific markers in banana’. In: Abstracts of the First

Dr. G. Tharani International Agrobiodiversity Congress held at NASC, New Delhi

Dr. P. Durai on 6 - 9 November, 2016

Dr. M.S. Saraswathi

Name of the Scientist Details

Dr. S. Uma Invited expert for improving banana industries in Meghalaya for

World Bank project

Expert in DBT-National project evaluation committee operating at

Agartala, Tripura

Co-Chair of the DBT-Banana consortium meeting and project

evaluation under NEH programme

Member of IBSC committee of Bharathidasan University, Trichy

Member of State Co ordination committee on Agriculture

Chairperson for conducting ‘Brainstorming session on successful

banana production in Northern Plains’

Dr. B. Padmanaban 69th Board meeting of IICPT, Thanjavur held at IICPT, Thanjavur,

Tamil Nadu

Dr. R. Thangavelu Participated as country representative in the 10th BAPNET steering

committee meeting, Gunagzhou, Guangdong, China

Convenor for the session on disease management at 4th Group

discussion of AICRP (Fruits) held at ICAR - IIHR, Bengaluru,

Karnataka

59


Name of the Scientist Details

Dr. R. Selvarajan Member; co-chairman for technical session at 8th International

Geminivirus Symposium and the 6th International ssDNA

comparative virology workshop held at Vivanta by Taj, Dwarka,

New Delhi

Scientific Coordinator; co-chairman for technical session at

VIROCON 2016- International conference on “Global Perspectives

in Virus Disease Management” held at ICAR- IIHR, Bengaluru,

Karnataka

External expert for IBSC committee of ICAR – IIHR, Bengaluru,

Karnataka

Dr. K. J. Jeyabaskaran Member in selection committee for selecting Subject Matter

Specialist (Soil Science) in ICAR-KVK (CREED-KVK),

Jeyankondam, Tamil Nadu

Dr. S. Backiyarani Convenor for the Brainstorming session on Problems and Prospects

of Banana in North East Region held at AAU, Jorhat

Dr. K. N. Shiva Panel member in the Technical committee meeting of SAMETI at

International workshop on value addition and agro processing held

at SAMETI, Anayara, Thiruvananthapuram

Panel member in the DBT sponsored projects screening committee

on NER - Banana held at NER- BPMC, New Delhi

8. LINKAGES AND COLLABORATIONS

Project Title Collaborating Institute(s) Scientist(s) involved

Breeding for improved IITA, Nigeria; Bioversity International, Dr. S. Uma

banana with Fusarium wilt France; NARO, Tanzania; University Dr. S. Backiyarani

(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. of Malaya; SLU, Sweden; Stellenbosch Dr. M. S. Saraswathi

cubense) resistance University, South Africa; Cornell Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

University, USA; KUL, Belgium;

University of Queensland,

Australia; Nelson Mandela African

Institution of Science and Technology,

Tanzania; Institute of Experimental

Botany, Czech Republic and

EMBRAPA, Brazil

Development of on - DAE, Mumbai, Maharastra Dr. M. S. Saraswathi

chimeral mutants with

durable resistance to

Fusarium wilt in Rasthali

(AAB) through induced

mutagenesis

60


9. PUBLICATIONS

9.1 Research Papers

International

Kalai Ponmani , K., Thangavelu, R., and Varun,

G. 2017. Optimization of protein

isolation and comparative proteomics of

pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

cubense (P-Foc) and non pathogenic

Fusarium oxysporum (np-Fo). Journal of

Plant Pathology, 99(2): 361 - 369.

Kaliyappan, R., Viswanathan, S., Suthanthiram,

B., Subbaraya, U., Somasundram, S. M.

and Mayil Vaganan, M. 2016.

Evolutionary expansion of WRKY gene

family in banana and its significance

against root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus

coffeae. PloS ONE, 11(9):1 - 18.

Kumaravel, M., Uma, S., Backiyarani, S.,

Saraswathi, M. S., Mayil Vaganan, M.,

Muthusamy, M. and Sajith, K. P. 2017.

Differential proteome analysis during

early embryogenesis in Musa spp. (cv.

Grand Naine - AAA). Plant Cell Reports,

36(1): 163 – 178.

Muthusamy, M., Uma, S., Backiyarani, S.,

Saraswathi, M. S. and Chandrasekar, A.

2016. Transcriptomic changes of drought-

tolerant and sensitive banana cultivars

exposed to drought stress. Frontiers in

Plant Science, 7: 1609.

Saravanakumar, A. S., Uma, S., Thangavelu,

R., Backiyarani, S., Saraswathi, M. S. and

Sriram, V. 2016. Preliminary analysis on

the transcripts involved in resistance

responses to eumusae leaf spot disease

of banana caused by Mycosphaerella

eumusae, a recent add-on of the Sigatoka

disease complex. Turkish Journal of

Botany, 40: 461 - 471.

Selvarajan. R. and Balasubramanian, V. 2017.

First report of banana bract mosaic virus

in banana in Assam, India. Journal of

Plant Pathology, 99(2).

National

Giribabu, P. and Anitha Sree, T. 2016.

Screening of Banana cultivars for

resistance against root - lesion nematode

(Pratylenchus cof feae). Indian Journal of

Nematology, 46 (2) : 175.

Nandakumar, S., Ravichamy, P. and Sivabalan,

K.C. 2016. Farm telecast viewing

behavior and knowledge management of

banana growers in Tamil Nadu-An

analysis. Progressive Research – An

International Journal, 11(4): 3993-3996.

Saraswathi, M. S., Kannan, G., Uma, S.,

Thangavelu, R. and Backiyarani, S. 2016.

Improvement of banana cv. Rasthali

against FoC (VCG 0124/5) through

induced mutagenesis: Determination of

LD50 specific to mutagen, explants,

toxins and in vitro and in vivo screening

for Fusarium wilt resistance. Indian

Journal of Experimental Biology, 54: 345 -

353.

Sumathi, S. and. Thangavelu, R. 2016.

Biodiversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal

Fungi (AMF) in banana plantations in

India. Plant Archives, 16(1): 210 - 216.

Sumathi, S. and. Thangavelu, R. 2016. Co-

inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal

Fungi (AMF) and their Mycorrhizae

Helper Bacteria (MHB) effectively

suppresses Fusarium Wilt in Banana.

Plant Archives, 16(1): 365 - 375.

9.2 Popular articles

Anuradha, C. and Ramasamy, S. 2017. Genetic

diversity analysis, sequence motif

comparison and homology modeling of

VPg from Banana Bract MosaicVirus. F1000Research, 6: 545.

Anuradha, C. and Ramasamy, S. 2017.

Proteomic changes in Banana in response

61


to Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV).

F1000Research, 6: 546.

Anuradha, C., Selvarajan, R. and Vasantha, S.

2017. Physiological and hormonalchanges in response to Bunchy Top Virus

(BBTV) infection in Banana.

F1000Research, 6: 547.

Giribabu, P., Anitha Sree, T. and Uma, S. 2017.

Monitoring burrowing and root-lesion

nematode damage in Banana. (Tamil).

Vanoli uzhavar sanga seithikkathir, 17: 33 -

34.

Kumar, V. 2017. Farmer Banana Production

technologies. In: Souvenir of the Regional

Horticultural Fair for Rural and Urban

Prosperity held at ICAR - IIHR, Bengaluru

on 15 – 19 January, 2017. Pp.52 – 54.

Padmanaban, B. 2017. Banana stem trapping

technology for banana weevil

management and blemishless banana

production. In: Souvenir of the Regional

Horticultural Fair for Rural and Urban

Prosperity held at ICAR - IIHR, Bengaluru

on 15 – 19 January, 2017. Pp. 64 - 65.

Padmanaban, B. 2016. Management of

Banana stem weevil in Banana. Malarum

Velanmai. May 2016. 35 - 36.

Padmanaban, B. 2016. Management ofBanana stem weevil (Tamil) Dinamalar-

Vivasayamalar (Tamil news daily)

published on 7 April, 2016.

Shiva, K. N. and Uma, S. 2017. Recent

advances in banana fruit care. (Tamil).

Vanoli Uzhavar Sanga Seithikathir, 17: 46 -

50.

Suresh Kumar, P., Ravi, I., Shiva, K. N.,

Dhivya, J., Vijayalakshmi, M. and

Sangeetha, A. 2017. Resistant starch rich

designer foods from banana. Beverage &

Food World, 44 (1): 27 - 29.

Suresh Kumar, P., Dhivya, J., Shiva, K. N.,

Vijayalakshmi, M. and Sangeetha, A.

2016. Low glycemic, resistant starch rich

functional foods from banana. Processed

Food Industry, 19(8): 19 - 22.

Uma, S., Saraswathi, M. S. and Durai, P. 2017.

Kela Vruddhi – A low cost and farmer

friendly macro-propagation technology. In:

Souvenir of the Regional Horticultural

Fair for Rural and Urban Prosperity held

at ICAR - IIHR, Bengaluru on 15 – 19

January, 2017. Pp. 48 - 49.

Uma, S., Saraswathi, M. S., Backiyarani, S. and

Durai, P. 2017. Brief note on the recent

selections made in banana at ICAR -

NRCB, Trichy for the benefit of banana

growers. In: Souvenir of the Regional

Horticultural Fair for rural and urban

prosperity held at ICAR - IIHR, Bengaluru

on 15 - 19 January, 2017. Pp. 50 - 51.

9.3 Books / Book chapters

Ravi, I. and Mayil Vaganan, M. 2016. Abiotic

stress tolerance in banana, In: Abiotic

Stress Physiology of Horticultural Crops.

Srinivasa Rao, N. K., Shivasankara, K. S.

and Laxman, R. H. (Eds.), Springer-

VerlagGmBH Heidelberg, Germany, P.

207-222.

Selvarajan, R. and Balasubramanian, V. 2016.

Cutting - Edge Technologies for Detection

of Plant Viruses in Vegetatively

Propagated Crop Plants, In: Plant Viruses:

Evolution and Management. (Eds) Gaur,

R. K., Petrov, N. M., Patil, B. L.,

Stoyanova, M. I. Springer.

9.4 Scientific reviews / Extension

folders / Technical folders /

Factsheets / Reports etc.

Bhat, A.I., Hohn, T. and Selvarajan, R. 2016.

Badna viruses: the current global scenario.

Viruses 8:177.

Jeyabaskaran, K. J. 2016. Fertiliser

management in banana cultivation

(Tamil), Extension Folder No.23, ICAR -

62


National Research centre for Banana,

Tiruchirappalli.

Mayil Vaganan, M., Ravi, I. and Uma, S. 2016.

Nutritive values and medicinal benefits

of banana flower (Tamil). Tech. Folder

No. 8. ICAR - National Research Centre

for Banana, Tiruchirappalli.

Ravindra Naik, Annamalai, S. J. K. and Shiva,

K. N. 2016. Mechanization package for

rope making from outer sheath of banana

pseudostem. Extension folder: CIAE /

RC / 2016 / 04. ICAR- Central Institute

for Agricultural Engineering - Regional

Centre, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Thangavelu, R. 2017. Fusarium Wilt – A

Challenge to Banana Cultivation in India.

Fact sheet No 1. ICAR - National

Research Centre for Banana,

Tiruchirappalli.

Thangavelu, R. and Uma, S. 2016. Leaf spot

diseases of banana and their management

(Tamil). Extension Folder No. 20. ICAR

- National Research Centre for Banana,

Tiruchirappalli.

Thangavelu, R. and Uma, S. 2016. Wilt disease

management in banana (Tamil). Extension

Folder No. 22. ICAR - National Research

Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli.

Thangavelu,R. and Padmanaban, B. 2016.

Fusarium wilt of banana. Banana fungal

disease. Fact sheet No 1. ICAR - National


Tiruchirappalli.

Uma, S., Saraswathi, M. S., Backiyarani, S. and

Durai, P. 2015. Banana Breeding – A Brief

Review. International Journal of Innovative

Horticulture, 4 (1): 11-19.

9.5 Training manuals

Kumar, V. and Poorani, J. 2016. Training

manual on ‘Advances in Production

Technologies and Integrated Pests and

Disease Management’. ICAR - National


Tiruchirappalli.

Kumar, V. and Uma, S. 2017. Training manual

on ‘Hi-tech Banana Cultivation for

Enhancing the Production and

Productivity of Quality Bananas’. ICAR

- National Research Centre for Banana,

Tiruchirappalli.

Shiva, K. N. and Marimuthu, N. 2016.

Technical Know-how of Post-Harvest

Handling, Packing, Storage and Ripening

in Banana for Domestic and Export

Markets, (P. 41); Banana Flower

Pickle(Thokku, P. 32); Banana Chips and

Banana Flour based Baby Food, (P. 33);

Banana Fig (P. 36); Banana pulp based

RTS beverage, (P. 36) and banana flour

based health (Mix Drink P. 36). Published

by the Director, ICAR - NRCB,

Tiruchirapalli Tamil Nadu.

9.6 Research papers / Abstracts /

Presentations in Conferences /

Symposia / Seminars / Workshops

etc.

9.6.1International

Anuradha, C. and Selvarajan, R. 2016. Genetic

diversity analysis, sequence motif

comparison and homology modeling of

VPg from Banana Bract Mosaic Virus In:

VIROCON 2016 - International

Conference on “Global Perspective in

Virus Disease Management” held at ICAR

- IIHR, Bengaluru from 8 - 10 December,

2016. P 119.

Anuradha, C., Selvarajan, R., Jebasingh, T.,

Revathi, G. and Sankara Nayar, P. 2016.

Self - interaction of helper component -

proteinase and interaction of viral protein

genome linked (VPg) of banana bract

mosaic virus (BBrMV) with the

translational eukaryotic intiation factor 4E

(elF4E). In: VIROCON 2016 -

International Conference on “Global

Perspective in Virus Disease

63


Management” held at ICAR - IIHR,

Bengaluru from 8 - 10 December, 2016.

P 91.

Backiyarani, S., Uma, S., Tharani, G., Durai,

P. and Saraswathi, M. S. 2016.

Development of A and B genome specific

markers in banana. In: Abstracts of the

First International Agro-biodiversity

Congress held at NASC, New Delhi on 6

- 9 November, 2016. P 210.

Kumar, V. 2016. “Studies on the effect of

organics on the growth, yield and disease

severity of BSV and BBMV affected

banana cv. Poovan”. In Global

Conference on ‘Perspectives on Future

Challenges and Options in Agriculture’

held at. Jalgaon during 28 - 31 May, 2016.

Saraswathi, M. S., Uma, S., Jithu, G.,

Bahrudeen Shahul Hameed, Durai, P.,

Sharmila Gayatri, D. and Backiyarani, S.

2016. DNA profiling of plantain clones

using ISSR markers. In: Abstracts of the


congress held at NASC, New Delhi on 6 -

9 November, 2016. P 211.

Selvarajan, R. and Balasubramanian, V. 2016.

Transcriptome analysis of Musa dually

infected by banana bunchy top virus and

banana streak Mysore virus. In:

VIROCON2016 - International

Conference on “Global perspective in

virus disease management” held at ICAR

- IIHR, Bengaluru from 8 - 10 December,

2016. P 73.

Selvarajan, R., Balasubramanian, V. and

Prasanya Selvam, K. 2016. Isothermal

amplification methods for efficient

detection of banana bunchy top virus. In:

8th International Geminivirus Symposium

and 6th International ssDNA Comparative

Virology Workshop held at Hotel Taj

Vivanta, New Delhi from 7 – 10

November, 2016. P 15.

Suresh Kumar, P., Shiva, K. N., Mayil

Vaganan, M., Ravi, I. and Marimuthu, N.

2016. Export banana waste as an

ingredient for the preparation of resistant

starch rich pasta (RSRP). In: 5 th

International conference on sustainable

utilization of tropical plant biomass:

bioproducts, biocatalysts and biorefinery

(SutB4), Organized by Dept. of Agrl.

Microbiology, Directorate of Natural

Resource Management, TNAU, held at

TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on17 -

18 November, 2016, Pp. 366 - 368.

Thangavelu, R. and Ganga Devi, P. 2016.

Biological management of Eumusae leaf

spot disease using native epiphytic and

endophytic microbes in banana cv. Grand

Naine (AAA). Agro-ecological approaches to

promote innovative banana production systems

held at Agropolis International -

Montpellier, France on 10 - 14 October,

2016.

Thangavelu, R. and Gopi, M. 2016. Field

suppression of Fusarium wilt disease (Foc

race 1- VCG 0124) and plant growth

promotion mediated by native microbes

and botanicals Zimmu (Allium sativum L.

× Allium cepa L.) in banana cv. Grand

Naine. “Agro-ecological approaches to promote

innovative banana production systems” held

at Agropolis International - Montpellier,

France on 10 – 14 October, 2016.

Uma, S., Saraswathi, M. S., Backiyarani, S.,

Udhayanjali, K., Amudha, P., Durai, P.

and Anuradha Agrawal. 2016. Success

story of rejuvenation of near extinct

fragrant banana, cv. Manoranjitham

through inter institutional and public

private partnership. In: Abstracts of the


congress held at NASC, New Delhi on 6 -

9 November, 2016. Pp.87.

9.6.2 National

Arun, K., Uma, S., Backiyarani, S., Saraswathi,

M. S. and Saravankumar, A. S. 2016.

Expression profile of candidate genes in

seed setting and non seed setting

genotypes of banana. In: National

64


Conference on Fruit Breeding in Tropics

and Subtropics - An Indian Perspective.

ICAR -Indian Institute of Horticultural

Research, Bengaluru. 27 - 29 April, 2016.

P. 185.

Backiyarani, S., Uma, S., Maria Doss, A.,

Saraswathi, M. S., Selvaraj, V., Arun, K.

and Durai, P. 2016. Enhancing the seed

set in banana using antitoxins. In: National

Conference on Fruit Breeding in Tropics

and Subtropics - An Indian Perspective.

ICAR -Indian Institute of Horticultural

Research, Bengaluru. 27 - 29 April, 2016.

P. 116.

Ravichamy, P., Nandakumar, S. and Siva balan,

K.C. 2017. ICT and media: A powerful

communication tool in dissemination of

information to banana farming

community - A Study. In: National

Conference on ICT & Communication

Development, 5th & 6 th January.

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University,

Tirunelveli. Pp. 14.

Saraswathi, M. S., Uma, S., Bahrudeen Shahul

Hameed, Backiyarani, S., Durai, P.,

Udhayanjali, K. and Udhyavani, U. 2016.

DNA profiling of Musa wild species of

North Eastern India using ISSR markers.

In: National Conference on Fruit Breeding

in Tropics and subtropics - An Indian

Perspective. ICAR - Indian Institute of

Horticultural Research, Bengaluru. 27 - 29

April, 2016. P. 79.

Suresh Kumar, P., Dhivya, J., Shiva, K. N.,

Mayil Vaganan, M. and Jeyabaskaran, K.

J. 2016. Development of low glycemic

and resistant starch rich flour from

dehydrated banana cv. Monthan. In: 8th

Swadesh Prem Jagriti Sangosthi -

Conference on Perspective of Future

Challenges and options in Agriculture,

organized by ASM Foundation, New

Delhi, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.,

Jalgaon, CHAI and TANS, New Delhi at

Jain Hills, JISL, Jalgaon, Maharashtra

during 28 - 31 May 2016. P. 103 - 104.

65


10. CONSULTANCY SERVICES AND COMMERCIALIZATION

OF TECHNOLOGIES

Consultancy Services

The institute has supplied a total of 5747

(2050 + 3697 of TC and suckers) plants

of banana cv. Udhayam to banana growers

of various districts of Tamil Nadu.

Under ‘Lab Accreditation Facility for

Virus Indexing and Genetic Fidelity

Testing of Tissue Culture Plants’, a total

of 17,335 samples were tested for the

presence of virus. (Revenue generated -

Rs. 93.34 lakhs).

Polyclonal antiserum produced for CMV,

BBrMV and BBTV has been sold to the

State agricultural universities viz., KAU,

APHU and TNAU. (Revenue generated -

Rs. 87,000/-).

Under ‘Lab Accreditation Facility for

Virus Indexing and Genetic Fidelity

Testing of Tissue Culture Plants’, 1250

batches of tissue culture plants (Cvs.

Grand Naine, Williams, Robusta, Ney

Poovan, Red banana, Quintal Nendran

etc.) have been tested for their genetic

fidelity using SSR and ISSR markers and

reports were issued. (Revenue generated

- Rs.21.56 lakhs).

Mother plants of cvs. Udhayam have been

supplied to M/s. Shaanti AgroTech,

Bengaluru for mass multiplication purpose.

Mother cultures of cvs. Udhayam have

been supplied to M/s. Hi-Fi Biotech,

Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Manure samples received from M/s. TVS

- Srichakra tyres Ltd., Vellarippatti, Melur,

Madurai were analyzed and provided the

disposal methods.

Commercialization of Technologies

4 May, 2016 Banana Fig 1. Mr. Krishnan, 1 0.10

V.V., Valiyavalappil,

Padiyoor P.O., Iritty,

Kannur–670703, Kerala

2. Mr. Tony Cyriac, 1 0.10

Neerakkal, #6B, Ancheril

Towers, Kottayam - 686004,

Kerala

14 July, 2016 Post-Harvest handling, M/s. Winwal International, 2 0.35

Packing, Storage and No.1, T4, Kgeyes Udita

Ripening of Banana for Apartments, 1st cross

Domestic and Export Street, Besant Nagar,

Markets Chennai – 600 090,

Tamil Nadu

Revenue

(Lakhs)

Date Name of the

technology

Address of the

client

No. of

MOU

66


Revenue

(Lakhs)

Date Name of the

technology

Address of the

client

No. of

MOU

22 July, 2016 Banana Flower Pickle G.Viruthambal, No.64, 1 0.10

Main Road, S.Pudur,

Sathankuppam, Post,

CuddaloreTk.,607004,

Tamil Nadu

15 September, 2016 Banana Chips and Banana Mr. Sandeep Santosh 2 0.20

Flour Based Baby Food Mahajan, Ad Post, Khamni

Thesile, District Burhanpur,

Madhya Pradesh – 450 445

25 October,2016 Banana Fig Mr. Shivaji Lotansing 1 0.10

Rajput, Plot No 16,

Karwand Naka, Swaminarayan

Temple Road, Shirpur District,

Dhulia, Maharashtra-425 405

10 November, 2016 Banana Pulp based RTS Mr. L. Isaac David 1 0.10

beverage Benito, 6/49 A,

K.Pungampalayam,

Marudhur Post,

Karamadai-641104,Tamil Nadu

17 February, 2017 Banana Flour Based Mr. Thomas 1 0.10

Health Mix Mattamundayil, Secretary,

Malanadu Development

Society, Kanjirapally 686512,

Kottayam, Kerala

31 January,2017 Contract Research M/s. Nagarjuna chemicals 1 3.80

Evaluation on the effect and Fertilizers, Hyderabad

of Pronos and Dormulin

treatment for the

suppression of post

harvest diseases and

extension of shelf life

of banana

TOTAL 10 4.85

67


11. RAC/ IRC / IMC MEETING

IRC Meeting

The 20th Institute Research Council (IRC)

meeting was held on 13 and 14 June, 2016

under the chairmanship of Dr. B. Padmanaban,

Acting Director, ICAR – NRCB. Dr. R.

Selvarajan, Member Secretary, IRC welcomed

the chairman and other members of the IRC.

After introductory remarks by the Chairman,

research projects, comments of the last IRC,

action taken report, salient achievements for

the year 2015 - 16 and technical program for

the year 2016 - 17 presented by the scientists

were reviewed.

The 21st Institute Research Council (IRC)

meeting was held on 18 – 20 January, 2017

under the chairmanship of Dr. S. Uma,

Director, ICAR – NRCB. Salient research

achievements during June – December, 2016

and technical program for the year 2017

presented by the scientists were reviewed.

February, 2017 under the Chairmanship of Dr.

S. N. Pandey, Former ADG (Hort.), ICAR,

New Delhi. Members of the RAC – Dr. P.

Ananda Kumar, ICAR - IIRR, Hyderabad, Dr.

T. V. K. Singh, Emeritus Professor, PJTSAU,

Hyderabad, Dr. N. Kumar, Former Dean,

TNAU, Coimbatore, Dr. A. K. Misra, PrincipalScientist & Head, ICAR – CISH, Lucknow,

IMC Representatives – Mr. S. Rajendran,

Kattuputhur, Tiruchirapalli and Mr. M. N.

Vaithianathan, Lalgudi, Tiruchirapalli were

attended the meet. Dr. S. Uma, Director,ICAR - NRCB welcomed the RAC Members

and presented salient research achievements

made by the Centre during last one year. Dr.

B. Padmanaban, Member Secretary – RAC,

presented the action taken report (ATR) of 17th

RAC Meeting followed by the presentation of

individual scientists on their research project

achievements. After the deliberations, the

Committee had made its recommendations.

Earlier the team also visited the ICAR - NRCB

Farm. The meeting was ended with vote of

thanks to the Chair and other RAC Members

by Dr. B. Padmanaban, Member Secretary -

RAC.

IRC meeting at ICAR - NRCB

IMC Meeting

The 22nd IMC meeting of ICAR – NRCB

was held on 4 September, 2016. Dr. S. Uma,

Director, ICAR – NRCB chaired the meet

along with the members of the IMC. Various

Institute related financial issues were discussed

and deliberated.

RAC Meeting

The 18th Research Advisory Committee

Meeting of ICAR - NRCB was held on 5 - 6

IMC members of ICAR - NRCB

Scientists of ICAR – NRCB with RAC members

68


12. TRAINING / REFRESHER COURSE/ SUMMER/ WINTER

INSTITUTES/ SEMINAR/ CONFERENCE/ SYMPOSIA/

WORKSHOP ATTENDED BY THE SCIENTISTS AND OTHER

STAFF

Human Resource Development

12.1. Trainings / Refresher courses attended by staff of ICAR – NRCB

Name of the Staff Name of the program Venue Date

Dr. I. Ravi Formulation of Projects Cooperative Training 5 - 9 September, 2016

Principal Scientist Under Climate Change Institute, Hyderabad

Dr. K. N. Shiva “Processing Machineries, ICAR - CTCRI, 31 August -

Principal Scientist Value Addition and Thiruvananthapuram, 9 September, 2016

Entrepreneurship Kerala

Development in Tuber

Crops”

Dr. S. Backiyarani ‘Agricultural Research ICAR - NAARM, 15 – 26 November,

Principal Scientist Management’ Hyderabad, Telangana 2016

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar Analysis of ICAR - NAARM, 18 - 23 August, 2016

Senior Scientist Experimental Data Hyderabad, Telangana

Dr. P. Durai ‘Principles and ICAR - IIVR, 27 September -

Assistant Chief Production Techniques Varanasi, October 8, 2016

Technical Officer of Hybrid Seeds in Uttar Pradesh

Vegetables’

Dr. P. Durai ‘PGR Management in ICAR - NBPGR, 22 - 25 March, 2017

Assistant Chief Fruit Crops for the New Delhi

Technical Officer Scientists of ICAR -

AICRP on Fruits’

Dr. S. Palanichamy Bio-prospecting IFGTB, Coimbatore, 17 – 20 August, 2016

Senior Technical instrumentation methods Tamil Nadu

Officer and chemical analysis

Dr. S. Palanichamy Experimental data ICAR - IASRI, 20 August -

Senior Technical analysis New Delhi 8 September, 2016

Officer

Mrs. T. Anitha Sree ‘Good Laboratory SRS of ICAR - 17 - 22 October, 2016

Senior Technical Practices’ NDRI, Adugodi,

Officer Bengaluru, Karnataka

Mr. P. Ravichamy ‘J-Gate@CeRA for Veterinary College, 27 January, 2017

Senior Technical Southern region’ Karnataka Veterinary,

Officer Animal and Fisheries

Science University

(KVAFSU), Hebbal,

Bengaluru, Karnataka

69


Name of the Staff Name of the program Venue Date

Mrs. C. Sagayam Network Basis ICAR - IASRI, 23 – 31 July, 2016

Jacqueline and Management Pusa,New Delhi.

Technical Officer

Mrs. C. Sagayam ‘Cyber Security’ for ICAR - IASRI, 28 September –

Jacqueline Technical Personnel New Delhi 6 October, 2016

Technical Officer of ICAR

Mr. N. Marimuthu ‘Technology SRS of ICAR - 13 - 18 March, 2017

Senior Technical Management and NDRI, Adugodi,

Assistant Business Planning for Bengaluru, Karnataka

Entrepreneurship

Development’

Mr. R. Pitchaimuthu Use and Maintenance ICAR – IISS, 6 – 15 August, 2016

Senior Technical of Advanced Bhopal,

Assistant Instrument in Soil and Madhya Pradesh

Plant Analysis

Mr. B. Sathish Roaster and ICAR - NAARM, 23 April to 2 May, 2016

Senior Admin. e - procurement Hyderabad,

Officer Telangana

Mr. R. Krishnamurthy e - procurement ICAR - NAARM, 25 – 26 April, 2016

Asst. Admin. Hyderabad,

Officer Telangana

Mr. R. Sridhar e - procurement ICAR - NAARM, 25 – 26 April, 2016

Personal Assistant Hyderabad, Telangana

Mr. R.N.M.S. Kannan ERP, MIS / FMS ICAR - IASRI, 2 – 11 May, 2016

Steno Gr. III under HR module New Delhi

12.2 Workshop / Seminar / Conference / Symposia / Scientific meet etc. attended by

the Scientists

Name of the Staff Event Organizer / Venue Date

Scientists of Brainstorming Discussion ICAR – NRCB, 23 April, 2016

ICAR - NRCB Meet on ‘Emerging Pests Tiruchirapalli,

and Disease Problems Tamil Nadu

in Banana’

ICAR – NRCB ICAR – NRCB, 21 August, 2016

foundation day cum Tiruchirapalli,

Kisan Mela Tamil Nadu

Outreach programme for Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 27 April, 2016

exporters organized by

APEDA

Formulate future ICAR – NRCB, 28 January, 2017

mechanization needs Tiruchirapalli,

for banana Tamil Nadu

70



Dr. B. Padmanaban Banana Farmers’ ICAR - NRCB and 27 April, 2016

Dr. R. Thangavelu Interface Meeting University of

Dr. V. Kumar Horticulture Sciences,

Dr. K.J. Jeyabaskaran Bidar, Karnataka.

Held at College of

Horticulture, Bidar,

Karnataka

Dr. B. Padmanaban Banana Farmers’ ICAR - NRCB and 28 April, 2016

Dr. R. Thangavelu Interface Meeting HRS, Kovvur,

Dr. V. Kumar Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. K.J. Jeyabaskaran Held at Dr.YSR

Dr. K. N. Shiva Horticultural University,

Venkataramanagudem,

Andhra Pradesh

Dr. V. Kumar National Workshop on Organized by ASM 29 May, 2016

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar Production and Handling Foundation, New Delhi;

of Quality Banana for Jain Irrigation Systems

Export and Domestic Ltd., Maharashtra and

Market AIPUB, Tiruchirapalli.

Held at Jalgaon,

Maharashtra

Dr. S. Uma Brainstorming Discussion Organized by DBT, 3 - 4 June, 2016

Dr. B. Padmanaban Meet on ‘Problems Govt. India. Held at

Dr. R. Selvarajan and Prospects of Banana AAU, Jorhat, Assam

Dr. S. Backiyarani in North East India’

Dr. P. Giribabu

Dr. S. Uma 4th Group Discussion ICAR - IIHR, 4 - 7 January, 2017

Dr. B. Padmanaban of AICRP (Fruits) Bengaluru, Karnataka

Dr. R. Thangavelu

Dr. V. Kumar

Dr. K. N. Shiva

Dr. S. Backiyarani

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

Dr. S. Uma Brainstorming session ICAR – CSSRI 22 March, 2017

Dr. R. Thangavelu on ‘Innovative Regional station,

Dr. V. Kumar approaches in in-vitro Lucknow,

mass multiplication, Uttar Pradesh

production and plant

protection for sustainable

production in Northern

Plains’.

71



Dr. R. Thangavelu Workshop on Organized by the 24 March, 2017

Dr. V. Kumar ‘Sensitization of DEE, Bihar Agricultural

stakeholders of Banana University, Sabour

on the occurrence of and ICAR - NRCB,

TR-4 of Fusarium Tiruchirappalli,

Wilt Disease’. Tamil Nadu. Held at

Veterinary College,

BAU, Patna, Bihar

Dr. S. Uma National seminar on ICAR - IIHR,

Dr. V. Kumar ‘Horticultural education Bengaluru, Karnataka 24 September, 2016

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar - Present status and

future prospects’

Dr. S. Uma Review meeting of the ICAR - IIHR, 25 - 27 September,

Dr. V. Kumar AICRP on Fruits - Bengaluru, Karnataka 2016

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar ‘Formulation of Future

Needs’

Dr. B. Padmanaban National Seminar on Held at 17 September, 2016

Dr. K. N. Shiva Hi-tech Banana Naduveerappattu

Cultivation village, Cuddalore

Dist., Tamil Nadu

Dr. B. Padmanaban National Meet of Organized by ICAR - 7 - 8 October, 2016

Entomologists IIHR, Bengaluru.

Held at SVC,

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Dr. B. Padmanaban Brain storming meet on Organized by ICAR - 24 -25 March, 2017

rugose spiralling whitefly NBAIR, Bengaluru.

Held at TNAU

Coimbatore,

Tamil Nadu

Dr. R. Thangavelu Tenth Banana Asia- Organized by 23 - 26 August, 2016

Pacific Network Bioversity International,

(BAPNET) steering France and

committee meeting Guangdong Academy

of Agricultural Sciences,

China. Held at

Gunagzhou city,

Guangdong, China

Tenth International CIRAD, Montpellier, 10 - 14 October, 2016

ISHS / Promusa banana France

symposium on

‘Agroecological

Approaches to Promote

Innovative Banana

Production Systems’

72



Dr. R. Selvarajan 9th NABS National MKU , Madurai, 11 - 12 August, 2016

Conference on ‘New Tamil Nadu

Biological Researches:

Opportunities and

Challenges for

Sustainable Development’

8th International Hotel Taj Vivanta, 7 – 10 November,

Geminivirus Symposium New Delhi 2016

and 6th International ss

DNA Comparative

Virology Workshop

Dr. R. Selvarajan VIROCON 2016 - ICAR - IIHR, 8 – 10 December,

Dr. C. Anuradha International Bengaluru, Karnataka 2016

Conference on

‘Global Perspective in

Virus Disease

Management’

Dr. M. Mayil Vaganan Fourth Annual South Hotel Taj Krishna, 19 - 21 September,

Asia Biosafety Hyderabad, Telangana 2016

Conference

Presentation of DBT DBT Office, 8 - 9 February, 2017

sponsored New Project Defense Colony,

proposal on North New Delhi

Eastern Region banana

Dr. I. Ravi Workshop on Tuber ICAR - CTCRI, 25 June, 2016

crops Technology Thiruvananthapuram,

Transfer and Kerala

Commercialization”

Dr. V. Kumar One-day Awareness Organized by Dept. 10 June, 2016

Dr. K. N. Shiva Programme on GAP in of Agricultural

Nendran Banana Development and

Farmers’ Welfare,

Govt. of Kerala and

CII, APEDA, FACE

Held at University at

State Veterinary Council

Hall, Peroorkkada,

Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala

Dr. V. Kumar 14th Scientific Advisory TNAU-KVK, Santhiyur, 29 June, 2016

Committee Meeting Salem, Tamil Nadu

7th Scientific Advisory TNAU-KVK, 29 June, 2016

Committee Meeting Papparappatti,

Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu

73



82nd Scientific Workers’ TNAU, Coimbatore, 5 July, 2016

Conference Tamil Nadu

68th Board Meeting of Panchsheel Bhavan, 5 August, 2016

IICPT New Delhi

Farmers’ Meeting cum Alathur, Pattukottai 16 August, 2016

Training organized by and Gantharvakottai,

NABARD and Dept. of Tamil Nadu

Horticulture,

Tamil Nadu

39th Scientific Advisory ICAR - KVK, 20 August, 2016

Committee Meeting Sirugamani,

Tiruchirappalli,

Tamil Nadu

Dr. V. Kumar 7th Scientific Advisory ICAR - KVK, 22 September, 2016

Committee Meeting Needamangalam,

Tamil Nadu

Farmers Field School Central IPM Centre, 29 January, 2017

(FFS) in Banana Tiruchirappalli,

Tamil Nadu

Scientific Advisory KVK –TANUVAS, 14 February, 2017

Committee Meeting VC&RI Campus,

Namakkal

‘Brainstorming session Hill Banana Growers’ 28 February, 2017

on ‘New Crop Federation at Dindigul,

Diversification Options Tamil Nadu

in Coffee Cropping

Systems in South India’

‘Banana Stakeholders’ APEDA and Fair 20 March, 2017

Meeting’ and signing of Exports Pvt. Ltd.,

MoU for the Kochi, Kerala

‘Development of Sea

Protocol for Trial

Shipment for Export on

Traditional Bananas’

Dr. K. J. Jeyabaskaran Workshop on Auroville, Pondichery 17 – 18 June, 2016

‘Mainstreaming

Agriculture in WASH

Discourse’

One day training cum ICAR - NAARM, 25 October, 2016

workshop for nodal Hyderabad, Telangana

officers of the public

authority related to RTI

Online Portal of DoPT

74



Dr. K. N. Shiva Conference on Agricultural Organized by SICCI 11 June. 2016

Technology of 6th SICCI and TNAU. Held at PGP

Agri Summit & College of Agricultural

Expo 2016 Sciences, Vettambadi,

Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

National Seminar on Organized by Dept. 30 August, 2016

Banana of Horticulture,

Kanyakumar Dt.

Held at Kalluvilai

village, Thuckalay

block, Kanyakumari

Dist., Tamil Nadu

Dr. K. N. Shiva Processing machineries, ICAR - CTCRI, August 31 –

value addition and Thiruvananthapuram, 9 September, 2016

entrepreneurship Kerala

development in tuber

crops

National Seminar on Organized by IICPT. 23 September, 2016

Challenges and Held at IICPT,

Opportunities in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Food Packaging

Seminar on ‘Value Confederation of 8 November, 2016

Addition in Food and Indian Industry at

Agri-Products’ Sona College of

Technology, Salem,

Tamil Nadu

One day Awareness Organized by APEDA, 29 November, 2016

Training Program for CII, FACE, Dept.

Banana on Good of Agrl. Marketing

Agricultural Practices and Agri-Business,

and Good Hygienic Govt. of TN,ICAR -

Practices for Export NRCB, HC & RI,

Periyakulam, TNAU.

Held at Hotel Western

Ghatz, Theni,

Tamil Nadu

Dr. K. N. Shiva Horticulture Fair Organized by UHS, 17 - 19 December,

& Mr. Badhrinath (Totagarike Mela) -2016 Bagalkot. Held at 2016

UHS Ground, Bagalkot,

Karnataka

Dr. S. Backiyarani Workshop on UAS - GKVK, 28 July, 2016

Dr. M. S. Saraswathi ‘Guidelines for access to Bengaluru, Karnataka

biological under the

biological diversity

act, 2002’

75



Dr. S. Backiyarani Panel discussion on NIT, Tiruchirapalli, 19 September, 2016

“Opportunities and Tamil Nadu

Challenges in Higher

Education-International

& National Perspectives”

Dr. S. Uma First International NASC, New Delhi 6 - 9 November, 2016

Dr. S. Backiyarani Agrobiodiversity

Dr. M. S. Saraswathi Congress

Dr. M. S. Saraswathi Attended the ICAR - IIOPR, 20 September, 2016

Brainstorming Meeting Pedavegi,

on Oil palm tissue Andhra Pradesh

culture

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar Pradhan Manthri Fasal KVK – Sirugamani, 28 June, 2016

Bhima Yojana meeting Tamil Nadu

Pradhan Manthri Fasal Organized by 16 July, 2016

Bhima Yojana & Saraswathi Foundation

Farmers fair for Rural Development

& Training. Held at

Prem Mahal, Karur,

Tamil Nadu

Brainstorming session CIAE – Bhopal, 24 - 25 October, 2016

on ‘Engineering Madhya Pradesh

Interventions Required

for Horticultural Crops’

5th International TNAU, Coimbatore, 17 - 18 November,

Conference on Tamil Nadu 2016

Sustainable Utilization

of Tropical Plant

Biomass: Bio-products,

Biocatalysts and

Biorefinery (SutB4)

National workshop on Bharathidhasan 10 March, 2017

‘Environmental Health University,

& Safety Management’ Tiruchirapalli,

(NWEHSM, 2017) Tamil Nadu

76


13. WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, FARMERS’ DAY ETC. ORGANIZED

AT THE CENTRE

Banana Kisan Mela cum ICAR -

NRCB foundation day

ICAR – NRCB celebrated its 23nd

foundation day as Kisan Mela on 21 August,

2016. The mela was presided over by Dr. K.

Ramasamy, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu

Agricultural University, Dr. Prakash Patil,

Project Co-ordinator, AICRP – Fruits and

S. Uma, Director, ICAR – NRCB.

session, emerging pest problems viz., Race 1

and other virulent strains of Fusarium wilt

disease and banana skipper were discussed in

detail and a strategic action plan to contain the

spread of dreaded disease in India was

developed.

Brainstorming Discussion Meet at

ICAR – NRCB

ICAR – NRCB has organized one day

brainstorming discussion meet on “Emerging

Pests and Disease Problems in Banana” on 23

April, 2016. The meeting was graced by

Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar, Dy. Director General

(Hort. Science), ICAR, New Delhi. Dr. B.

Padmanaban, Acting Director, ICAR - NRCB

presented the overview of emerging pests and

diseases in banana. Dr. Prakash Patil, Project

Co-ordinator, AICRP on Fruits, IIHR,

Bengaluru; Dr. Sadasakthi, Representative of

Commissioner of Horticulture and Plantation

Crops, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Mr. R.

Krishnamurthy, Dy. Director of Horticulture,

representing Agri. Production Commission and

Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Tamil

Nadu; Scientists working on banana from

ICAR Institutes, SAUs, Plant Quarantine

Departments and representatives of Farmers

Association were also participated. In technical

Banana Farmers’ Interface Meet at

UHS, Bidar

ICAR - NRCB in collaboration with

University of Horticulture Sciences, Bidar,

Karnataka organized one day “Banana

Farmers’ Interface Meet” at College of

Horticulture, Bidar on 27 April, 2016. The

meeting was attended by 80 farmers from Bidar

/ Kalburgi districts of Karnataka.

Banana Farmers’ Interface Meet at

HRS, Kovvur

ICAR - NRCB in collaboration with

Horticultural Research Station, Kovvur,

Andhra Pradesh organized one day “Banana

Farmers’ Interface Meet” at Dr.YSR

Horticultural University, Venkatara

managudem on 28 April, 2016. 120 farmers

participated in the event.

National Workshop on Production and

Handling of Quality Banana for Export

and Domestic Market

National workshop on banana was

organized at Jalgaon, Maharashtra on 29 May,

77


2016. The workshop was organized jointly by

ASM Foundation, New Delhi & Jain Irrigation

Systems Ltd., Maharashtra in collaboration

with AIPUB, Tiruchirapalli. 250 progressive

farmers from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh

and Gujarat were attended the workshop.

Scientists of ICAR – NRCB have attended the

workshop.

World Soil Day

ICAR – NRCB celebrated ‘World Soil

Day’ in collaboration with ICAR - KVK,

Sirugamani, TNAU on 5 December, 2016.

Dr. S. Uma, Director, ICAR - NRCB

inaugurated the exhibition and distributed soil

health cards to farmers. Dr. R. Chandrasekaran,

Professor and Head, ICAR - KVK, Sirugamani

welcomed the gathering. Principal Scientists of

ICAR – NRCB, Dr. V. Kumar and Dr. K. J.

Jeyabaskaran have delivered lectures on

banana cultivation and soil health management

respectively. About 500 farmers of

Tiruchirapalli, Karur and Thanjavur districts of

Tamil Nadu were participated.

78


Name, Designation and Address Date

Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Director General (ICAR), New Delhi 23 April, 2016

Dr. Prakash Patil, Project Co-ordinator, AICRP - Fruits, ICAR - IIHR, 21 August, 2016

Bengaluru

Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore 21 August, 2016

Dr. S. Devasahayam, Head (Crop Protection), ICAR-IISR, Calicut 4 September, 2016

Dr. N. Bakthavatsalam, Principal Scientist & Head

(Division of Insect Ecology), ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru 4 September, 2016

Dr. (Mrs.) Anuradha Agrawal, Principal Scientist, 4 September, 2016

ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi

Mr. K. Rajaraman, IAS, Principal Secretary and Director, 27 January, 2017

Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Dr. S. N. Pandey, Retd. ADG (Hort. Sci.), ICAR, New Delhi 5-6 February, 2017

Dr. P. Anand Kumar, Prinicipal Scientist, ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad 5-6 February, 2017

Dr. T.V.K. Singh, Emeritus Professor, PJTSAU, Hyderabad 5-6 February, 2017

Dr. A. K. Mishra, Ex. Principal Scientist & Head, ICAR-CISH, Lucknow 5-6 February, 2017

Dr. N. Kumar, Former Dean, TNAU, Coimbatore 5-6 February, 2017

14. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

15. EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Exclusive training for women on “Advanced techniques in banana production” was conducted

at NEHU, Tura, Meghalaya for 56 tribal women.

79


16. PERSONNEL

16.1 Staff News

Name Event Date

Dr. S. Uma, Appointed as Director, ICAR – NRCB, 19 July, 2016

Principal Scientist Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu

Dr. M. Loganathan, Joined ICAR – NRCB from ICAR – DCR, 9 March, 2017

Principal Scientist Puttur, Karnataka

Dr. D. Ramajayam, Joined ICAR – NRCB from ICAR – IIOPR, 13 March, 2017

Senior Scientist Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh

Dr. P. Suresh Kumar, Promoted to Senior Scientist (RGP Rs. 9000/-) w.e.f. 25 June, 2015

Senior Scientist

Dr. P. Durai, Senior Promoted to Assistant Chief Technical w.e.f. 3 April, 2016

Technical Officer Officer

Mr. P. Ravichamy, Promoted to Senior Technical Officer w.e.f. 1 May, 2015

Technical Officer

Ms. T. Anitha Sree, Promoted to Senior Technical Officer w.e.f. 1 May, 2015

Technical Officer

Mr. M. Badrinath, Promoted to Senior Technical Assistant w.e.f. 4 October, 2015

Technical Assistant

Mr. P. Mohan, Promoted to Senior Technical Assistant w.e.f. 8 July, 2016

Technical Assistant

16.2 Staff position

Scientific Staff

Sl. No. Name Designation

1 Dr. S. Uma Director

2 Dr. B. Padmanaban Principal Scientist (Entomology)

3 Dr. J. Poorani Principal Scientist (Entomology)

4 Dr. R. Thangavelu Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology)

5 Dr. R. Selvarajan Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology)

6 Dr. M. Mayil Vaganan Principal Scientist (Plant Biochemistry)

7 Dr. I. Ravi Principal Scientist (Crop Physiology)

8 Dr. V. Kumar Principal Scientist (Horticulture)

9 Dr. K. J. Jeyabaskaran Principal Scientist (Soil Science)

10 Dr. K. N. Shiva Principal Scientist (Horticulture)

11 Dr. S. Backiyarani Principal Scientist (Biotechnology)

12 Dr. M. S. Saraswathi Principal Scientist (Horticulture)

13 Dr. M. Loganathan Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology)

14 Dr. D. Ramajayam Senior Scientist (Horticulture)

15 Dr. P. Suresh Kumar Senior Scientist (Horticulture)

16 Dr. P. Giribabu Scientist (Nematology)

80



17 Dr. C. Anuradha Scientist (Biotechnology)

18 Dr. A. Thirugnanavel Scientist (Horticulture)

19 Mr. R. Natarajan Scientist (Economic Botany)

Technical Staff

Administrative, Audits & Accounts and Supporting Staff


1 Dr. P. Durai Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Field)

2 Dr. S. Palanichamy Senior Technical Officer (Field)

3 Mr. P. Ravichamy Senior Technical Officer (Journalism)

4 Ms. T. Anitha Sree Senior Technical Officer (Field)

5 Ms. C. Sagayam Jacqueline Technical Officer (Computer Programmer)

6 Mr. D. Ramachandramurthi Technical Officer (Civil Overseer)

7 Mr. V. Selvaraj Senior Technical Assistant (Field)

8 Mr. T. Sekar Senior Technical Assistant (Lab)

9 Mr. R. Pitchaimuthu Senior Technical Assistant (Field)

10 Mr. N. Marimuthu Senior Technical Assistant (Lab)

11 Mr. K. Kamaraju Senior Technical Assistant (Lab)

12 Mr. M. Badhrinath Senior Technical Assistant (Field)

13 Mr. P. Mohan Senior Technical Assistant (Driver)

14 Mr. V. Manoharan Technical Assistant (Driver)


1 Ms. C. Gomathi Asst. Finance & Accounts Officer

2 Mr. R. Krishnamurthy Asst. Administrative Officer

3 Mr. M. Krishnamoorthy Private Secretary

4 Mr. P. Murugan Assistant

5 Mr. R. Sridhar Personal Assistant

6 Ms. S. Durgavathy Upper Division Clerk

7 Mr. R. Neela Mega Steno Gr. III

Shyamala Kannan

8 Ms. A.V. Suja Lower Division Clerk

9 Mr. R. Mohanraj Lower Division Clerk

10 Mr. V. Pandiyan Skilled Supporting Staff

11 Mr. V. Thangaraju Skilled Supporting Staff

12 Mr. P. Kamaraj Skilled Supporting Staff

13 Mr. V. Ganesan Skilled Supporting Staff

14 Ms. K. Mariammal Skilled Supporting Staff

81


17. OTHER INFORMATION

Swachhta Bharath Activities

On the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth

anniversary, ICAR – NRCB has organized a

Swachch Bharath awareness rally with the staff

of ICAR – NRCB in association of students

from St. Joseph College, Tiruchirapalli and

Govt. School, Keerikalmedu, Tiruchirapalli.

During the rally, placards and slogans on

cleanliness were emphasized to the rural folks.

ICAR – NRCB has observed ‘Intensive

Swachhta Bharath Pakhwara’ from 16 – 31,

October, 2016. Cultural events with the theme

‘Cleanliness and Pollution’ and an exhibition

on the theme ‘Swatchhta Bharat Mission’ were

held at ICAR – NRCB. Children from St. Joan

of Arc International School and Sivananda

Balalaya School were participated.

program’ was organized with series of lectures

by the scientists of the Centre.

Yoga Day celebration

International Yoga Day was celebrated on

21 June, 2016. Members from Isha yoga trust,

Coimbatore practiced yoga to ICAR – NRCB

staff.

Independence Day celebration

Independence Day was celebrated at our

institute on 15 August, 2016. Dr. S. Uma,

Director, ICAR - NRCB hoisted the national

flag and delivered speech.

Sports meet

ICAR – NRCB participated in ICAR

Inter-Institutional Sports meet for south zone

held at Hyderabad from 22 – 26 August, 2016.

A sport contingent of six members was

participated in events viz., Badminton, Table

tennis, Chess and Carrom.

Hindi Pakhwara

ICAR – NRCB celebrated ‘Hindi

Pakhwara’ from 14 – 29 September, 2016.

Various competitions viz., singing, quiz, news

reading etc. were held and prizes were

distributed.

Rastriya Ekta Divas

ICAR – NRCB observed Rastriya Ekta

Divas on 31 October, 2016 to commemorate

the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel

and took pledge for National unity.

Vigilance Awareness Week

ICAR - NRCB observed ‘Vigilance

Awareness Week’ from 31 October to 5

November, 2016. On this eve, staff of ICAR

– NRCB took pledge. On this occasion,

students from Sivananda Balalaya School,

Adavathur, Tiruchirapalli visited ICAR –

NRCB and participated in essay writing

Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav

Under “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” scheme,

Scientists of ICAR – NRCB have adopted 21

villages of Tiruchirapalli, Tanjavur and Karur

Districts of Tamil Nadu and organised

interactive meeting with village people and

given suggestions for their betterment of

livelihood, created awareness about the

importance of soil testing in agriculture/

horticulture, given timely recommendations for

agricultural activities. A linkage has been

established between the Centre and the Central

IPM Centre and ‘Farmers’ Farm School

82


competition. Various competitions viz., ‘Pick

and Speak’, ‘Essay Writing’ and ‘Debate’ were

held on 5th November, 2016. Mr. B. Sathish,

SAO organized the competitions and gave vote

of thanks.

Communal Harmony Campaign

ICAR – NRCB celebrated ‘Communal

Harmony Campaign’ from 19 to 25

November, 2016. Various competitions viz.,

singing (Bhajans / patriotic songs), essay

writing and painting for children of nearby

schools were conducted at this centre and

prizes were distributed.

Constitution Day

ICAR - NRCB celebrated ‘Constitution

Day’ on 26 November, 2017 to commemorate

125th birth anniversary of Dr. B. Ambedkar.

On this occasion preamble of the constitution

was recited.

Agriculture Education Day

ICAR – NRCB celebrated ‘Agriculture

Education Day’ on 9 December, 2016 with

students of nearby schools and conducted

competitions viz., drawing, essay writing and

quiz and distributed prizes. Dr. S. Uma,

Director, ICAR – NRCB stressed the

importance of agriculture and motivated the

students to choose Agriculture as their

profession.

National Science Day

ICAR - NRCB celebrated ‘National

Science Day’ on 28 February, 2017 with theme

on ‘Science and Technology for Specially

Abled Children’. On this eve, students suffering

from mental disorder from Sivananda Balalaya

School, Tiruchirapalli have visited ICAR –

NRCB and participated in quiz competitions.

Dr. S. Uma, Director, ICAR – NRCB motivated

the students and distributed the prizes.

International Women’s Day

Celebrations

ICAR – NRCB celebrated International

Women’s Day on 8 March, 2017. Dr.

Manimekalai, Professor, Bharathidasan

University, Tiruchirapalli was the chief guest

of the event. On the eve, cultural events were

performed by women college students from

HC & RIW, Tiruchirapalli, TNAU.

83


ANNEXURE – I

I. Institute projects

Name of the Project Principal Investigator

Crop Improvement

1. Improvement and management of banana genetic Dr. S. Uma

resources in Indian subcontinent

2. Improvement of banana through conventional breeding Dr. S. Uma

3. Improvement of banana for nematode resistance and Dr. S. Backiyarani

marker development

4. Development of trait specific markers for fusarium wilt Dr. M. S. Saraswathi

resistancethrough association mapping studies in banana

(Musa spp.)

5. Improvement of cv. Grande Naine (Cavendish – AAA) Dr. M. S. Saraswathi

for Fusarium wilt resistance through non-conventional

breeding

6. Improvement of banana for sigatoka leaf spot resistance Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

7. Identification and evaluation of superior clones of Mr. R. Natarajan

cv.Ney Poovan (AB) and Grand Naine (AAA)

Crop Production & Post Harvest Technology

8. Studies on nutrient dynamics in banana Dr. K. J. Jeyabaskaran

9. Development of clump management technology for Dr. V. Kumar

enhanced productivity in banana

10. High temperature and soil moisture deficit stresses Dr. I. Ravi

in banana: Mechanism of high temperature tolerance

and management of high temperature and soil moisture

deficit stresses in banana

11. Biochemistry of banana fruit ripening and characterization Dr. M. Mayil Vaganan

of high value compounds of fruit and flower

12. Development of pre and post harvest techniques for leaf Dr. K. N. Shiva

production in banana

13. Development of modified atmosphere packaging Dr. K. N. Shiva

techniques in banana and plantain for domestic and

export markets

14. Development and refinement of value added products in Dr. K. N. Shiva

banana and plantain

15. Functions of resistant starch and designer food Dr. P. Suresh Kumar

development from banana flour

84



Crop Protection

16. Management of banana weevils Dr. B. Padmanaban

17. Pest mapping in bananas and plantains in India Dr. J. Poorani

18. Investigation on fungal and bacterial diseases of banana Dr. R. Thangavelu


19. Studies on viral diseases of banana and their management Dr. R. Selvarajan

20. Host-virus interactions in banana: Molecular mechanisms Dr. R. Selvarajan

of resistance and susceptibility, latency, integration and

episomal expression of EPRV’s

21. Molecular approaches to understand the host-virus-vector- Dr. R. Selvarajan

environment interactions and RNAi for the management

of banana viruses

22. Proteomic analysis of host-BBTV interaction in banana Dr. C. Anuradha

23. Investigations on Musa nematode’s diversity, biology, Dr. P. Giribabu

behavior and their interactions

II. ICAR funded projects


1. Network project on Transgenic in crops – Banana Dr. S. Uma

functional genomics (Sigatoka & Drought component)

Consortium Research Projects

2. CRP on Agro Biodiversity Dr. S. Uma

3. CRP on borers Dr. B. Padmanaban

4. CRP on Vaccines and Diagnostics Dr. R. Selvarajan

Extra Mural Projects

5. A new vision for Quality Planting Material (QPM) Dr. S. Uma

Production system in India

6. On-site diagnostics for insect pests of selected Dr. J. Poorani

horticulture crops to enable timely pest management

decision making

7. Survey, characterization and management of a most Dr. R. Thangavelu

virulent strain of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense

infecting banana

8. Studies on active packaging on extending shelf-life Dr. K. N. Shiva

of banana

9. Harnessing the potential of Musa species in ornamental Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

and leaf industries and screening for better edible flower

and pseudostem

10. Outreach project on Phytophthora, Fusarium and Dr. R. Thangavelu

Ralstonia diseases of horticultural and field crops

11. Assessment of post-harvest losses in banana Dr. K. N. Shiva

85


III. Other externally funded projects

Name of the Project Funding Principal

Source Investigator(s)

1. Bio fortification and development of disease DBT -

resistance in Banana QUT

Component - 1: Biofortification and evaluation Dr. S. Backiyarani

of Indian banana with pro Vitamin A (PVA)

constructs

Component - 2: Biofortification and evaluation Dr. M. Mayil Vaganan

of Indian banana with Iron constructs

Component - 3: Development of efficient ECS for Dr. S. Uma

Rasthali and providing authentic virus free IMFC to

Indian Partners

2. Twinning programme on ‘Molecular DBT Dr. R. Thangavelu

characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.

cubense causing Fusairum wilt on banana and

its sustainable management’

3. Development of bio-pesticide formulation for DBT Dr. R. Thangavelu

reducing post harvest losses and for achieving

export quality and increased shelf life of

banana fruits

4. National certification system for tissue culture plants DBT Dr. R. Selvarajan &

Dr. M. S. Saraswathi

5. Development of non-chimeral mutants with DAE Dr. M. S. Saraswathi

durable resistance to Fusarium wilt in Rasthali

through induced mutagenesis

6. Framing crop specific DUS guidelines for PPV & Dr. A. Thirugnanavel

banana Musa spp. FRA

86


ANNEXURE – II

METEOROLOGICAL DATA

Month Max. Temp. (oC) Min. Temp. (oC) Rainfall (mm)

April, 2016 39.93 27.86 -

May, 2016 37.77 26.58 143.2

June, 2016 36.16 26.70 41.5

July, 2016 36.06 26.16 232.7

August, 2016 36.51 26.09 15.5

September, 2016 36.46 25.90 10.5

October, 2016 35.06 24.93 81.7

November, 2016 32.83 23.43 -

December, 2016 31.51 21.87 38.0

January, 2017 31.58 21.38 35.0

February, 2017 33.67 20.35 -

March, 2017 36.48 24.51 -

Total 1198.1

Annual Report 2016-2017

Documents

Transcript of Annual Report 2016-2017